The United States has announced plans to slash Iran’s oil exports by more than 90 per cent as part of former President Donald Trump’s renewed “maximum pressure” campaign, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on Friday. Speaking to Fox Business, Bessent said, “We are committed to bringing the Iranians back to 100,000 barrels-a-day of oil exports,” referencing the level seen during Mr Trump’s first term in office. Currently, Iran is exporting between 1.5 million and 1.6 million barrels per day, according to Bessent. Last week, Mr Trump signed a memorandum directing the Treasury Department to impose “maximum economic pressure” on Tehran to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons. The order echoes the policy from his first administration, which saw Iran’s oil exports plummet from approximately three million barrels per day in 2017 to around 400,000 in 2019. During his initial term, Mr Trump withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), arguing that the agreement failed to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear technology. Sanctions lifted under the deal were subsequently reimposed as part of Washington’s strategy to cripple Iran’s economy. Economic Pressure and Sanctions Bessent underscored the US’s capacity to enforce maximum economic pressure on Iran, suggesting that a return to “Trump 1.0 levels” of oil exports would lead to “severe economic distress” for the country. “Their economy is quite fragile right now,” he said, citing high inflation and a “gigantic” budget deficit. He further claimed that revenue from Iran’s oil exports was being used to fund “terrorist activity.” Modi says US and India target $500 billion bilateral trade by 2030 In line with Mr Trump’s directive, the Treasury Department has already imposed sanctions on three oil tankers, and Bessent signalled that further measures could be taken against Russian energy exports if instructed by the administration. The executive order also directed the State Department to “modify or rescind existing sanctions waivers” and coordinate with Treasury in implementing the maximum pressure policy. China and India in the Spotlight Experts warn that reducing Iran’s oil exports to near-zero levels would necessitate targeting intermediaries, as well as major buyers such as China and India. “The Chinese, perhaps Indians, are buying the sanctioned Iranian oil and that is unacceptable,” Bessent stated. While the US remains steadfast in its approach, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the prospect of negotiations under such conditions. “Negotiation cannot be carried out from a weak stance, as it will no longer be considered negotiation but a kind of surrender. We never go to the negotiating table this way,” Iranian state media quoted him as saying this week. Opec’s Position Despite Washington’s aggressive stance, analysts suggest that the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) is unlikely to alter its voluntary production cuts due to the US campaign. With Iran’s crude oil production recorded at 3.28 million barrels per day in January 2025, Opec is expected to have sufficient capacity to absorb any supply reductions resulting from the sanctions. China establishes over 30,000 smart factories As tensions escalate, the effectiveness of Mr Trump’s renewed maximum pressure strategy remains to be seen, particularly amid ongoing geopolitical shifts and Iran’s determined resistance to US-imposed economic constraints. Source: Agencies

A gunman fatally shot two high-profile hard-line judges in Iran’s capital on Saturday in a rare attack targeting the judiciary, according to state media. Both judges were reportedly involved in the 1988 mass execution of dissidents, reports AP. No organisation immediately claimed responsibility for the killings of clerics Mohammad Mogheiseh and Ali Razini. However, Razini’s alleged role in the 1988 executions has previously made him a target, including surviving an assassination attempt in 1999. Iranian president arrives in Russia for partnership treaty signing The attack occurred amid economic challenges in Iran, the growing impact of its regional conflicts with Israel, and the impending return of Donald Trump to the White House on Monday. Both clerics were members of Iran’s Supreme Court, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. A bodyguard for one of the judges was also injured in the incident. The gunman reportedly took his own life, according to IRNA. “Preliminary investigations indicate that the individual involved did not have a case pending in the Supreme Court nor any connection to its branches,” the judiciary's Mizan news agency stated. “Investigations are underway to identify and apprehend those responsible for this terrorist act.” Razini had previously been targeted in January 1999 when attackers on motorcycles threw an explosive device at his vehicle, injuring him as he left his office as the judiciary’s head in Tehran. Both judges had been accused by activists and exiles of participating in the 1988 mass executions, which followed the conclusion of Iran’s war with Iraq. After Iran’s then-Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini accepted a U.N.-mediated ceasefire, armed members of the opposition group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK), supported by Saddam Hussein, launched a surprise incursion across the Iranian border. Iran denies plot to kill Trump, rejects U.S. assassination claims Although Iran repelled the attack, it led to the establishment of so-called "death commissions," which carried out hasty retrials of political prisoners, militants, and others. International rights groups estimate up to 5,000 executions, while MEK claims the number is closer to 30,000. Iran has never fully acknowledged these executions, allegedly ordered by Khomeini, though some suggest other officials wielded significant influence in the months preceding his 1989 death. The MEK has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, detained in Iran for three weeks, was released on Wednesday and is returning to Italy, as confirmed by Italian officials, reports AP. Sala's case had become linked to that of Mohammad Abedini, an Iranian engineer wanted by the U.S. The Italian government reported that a plane carrying Sala, 29, departed Tehran after extensive diplomatic and intelligence negotiations, with Premier Giorgia Meloni personally informing her parents of the news. Italy summons Iran's ambassador to release arrested Italian journalist Iranian media acknowledged the release, though no official comment was given by Iranian authorities. Sala, a reporter for Il Foglio, was arrested in Tehran on December 19, three days after arriving on a journalist visa, accused of violating Iranian laws. There was speculation in Italy that Sala’s detention was a bargaining tactic to secure the release of Abedini, arrested in Milan on December 16 at the request of the U.S. government. The U.S. Justice Department charged Abedini, along with another Iranian, with supplying drone technology to Iran, which was used in a January 2024 attack that killed three American soldiers in Jordan. Abedini remains in detention in Italy. The release of Sala was celebrated in Italy, where her case had captured significant media attention. Lawmakers praised the diplomatic success in securing her release. It followed a surprise trip by Premier Meloni to Florida last weekend to meet U.S. US restricts Russian and Iranian groups over disinformation targeting American voters President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Meloni shared the news of Sala's return on social media, expressing gratitude to those who helped bring her home, allowing her to reunite with her family and colleagues. The fates of Sala and Abedini had become entangled, with both countries' foreign ministries summoning each other's ambassadors to demand the release of the detainees and fair treatment in custody. The diplomatic challenge was particularly sensitive for Italy, which is a historical ally of the U.S. but maintains traditionally cordial relations with Iran. Cabinet members, including Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, took a hands-on approach to the case, emphasizing the importance of the successful diplomatic negotiations, marking a significant victory for Meloni. Iran restores access to WhatsApp and Google Play after they were banned amid protests Iran has a history of using individuals with Western ties as bargaining tools in international negotiations, dating back to the 1979 U.S. Embassy crisis. Other Western journalists, including American Roxana Saberi and Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, have also been detained by Iran in the past.

The United States has imposed sanctions on two groups linked to Iranian and Russian efforts to target American voters with disinformation ahead of this year's election. Treasury officials announced the sanctions Tuesday, alleging that the two organizations sought to stoke divisions among Americans before November's vote. U.S. intelligence has accused both governments of spreading disinformation, including fake videos, news stories and social media posts, designed to manipulate voters and undermine trust in U.S. elections. “The governments of Iran and Russia have targeted our election processes and institutions and sought to divide the American people through targeted disinformation campaigns,” Bradley T. Smith, Treasury's acting undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in a statement. Authorities said the Russian group, the Moscow-based Center for Geopolitical Expertise, oversaw the creation, financing and dissemination of disinformation about American candidates, including deepfake videos created using artificial intelligence. In addition to the group itself, the new sanctions apply to its director, who authorities say worked closely with Russian military intelligence agents also overseeing cyberattacks and sabotage against the West. Read: EU imposes sanctions on Putin’s daughters Authorities say the center used AI to quickly manufacture fake videos about American candidates created scores of fake news websites designed to look legitimate and even paid U.S. web companies to create pro-Russian content. The Iranian group, the Cognitive Design Production Center, is a subsidiary of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, U.S. officials said, which the United States has designated a foreign terrorist organization. Officials say the center worked since at least 2023 to incite political tensions in the United States. U.S. intelligence agencies have blamed the Iranian government for seeking to encourage protests in the U.S. over Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. Iran also has been accused of hacking into the accounts of several top current and former U.S. officials, including senior members of Donald Trump’s campaign. In the months ahead of the election, U.S. intelligence officials said Russia, Iran and China all sought to undermine confidence in U.S. democracy. They also concluded that Russia sought to prop up the ultimate victor Trump, who has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggested cutting funds to Ukraine and repeatedly criticized the NATO military alliance. Read more: US imposes sanctions on RAB, 7 individuals Iran, meanwhile, sought to oppose Trump's candidacy, officials said. The president-elect's first administration ended a nuclear deal with Iran, reimposed sanctions and ordered the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, an act prompting Iran’s leaders to vow revenge. Russian and Iranian officials have rejected claims that they sought to influence the outcome of the 2024 election. “Russia has not and does not interfere with the internal affairs of other countries,” a spokesperson for Russia's embassy in Washington wrote in an email Tuesday. A message left with officials from Iran was not immediately returned Tuesday.

Iran has reinstated access to WhatsApp and Google Play after more than two years of restrictions, according to a report by the official IRNA news agency on Tuesday. The decision was made by the Supreme Council of Cyber Space during a meeting led by reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, who has pledged to ease social media restrictions. Telecommunication Minister Sattar Heshemi described the move as a "first step" in lifting online restrictions. He hinted at the possibility of restoring access to more platforms in the future. Residents in Tehran and other cities confirmed they could access the services on computers, although mobile access was not yet available. Meta set to introduce Ray-Ban smart glasses in 2025 WhatsApp ranks as Iran’s third most popular messaging app, following Instagram and Telegram. The platforms were initially blocked in 2022 during widespread protests over the death of a woman detained by morality police for allegedly breaching the country’s strict dress code. The unrest subsided in 2023 after a harsh government crackdown, resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of arrests. Iran has a history of restricting social media access, but many citizens bypass these bans using proxies and VPNs.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated on Sunday that Syria's youth would oppose any new government formed after the fall of President Bashar Assad. He accused the United States and Israel of instigating instability in the country. Khamenei emphasized that Iran had supported Assad throughout Syria's 14-year civil war, which began with a violent crackdown on protests against his long-standing rule. Syria has also served as a vital link for Iranian support to Lebanon’s Hezbollah group. Rocket from Yemen Hits Tel Aviv, Injuring 16 People Addressing the situation, Khamenei said Syrian youth face insecurity after Assad’s ouster and must confront those responsible for the unrest. “They must resist with determination,” he asserted, expressing hope for their success. He further accused the U.S. and Israel of orchestrating Assad’s downfall to exploit Syria’s resources. “They believe they’ve achieved victory,” he said, referring to Washington, Israel, and their allies. Palestinian refugees return to Yarmouk, facing uncertainty in post-war Syria Khamenei dismissed claims that Iran uses regional militant groups as proxies, saying these groups act based on their own ideologies, not Iranian directives. “If we ever choose to act, we won’t need proxies,” he added.

The Iranian rial on Wednesday fell its lowest level in history, losing more than 10% of its value since Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election in November and signaling new challenges for Tehran as it remains locked in the wars raging in the Middle East. The rial traded at 777,000 rials to the dollar, traders in Tehran said, down from 703,000 rials on the day Trump won. Iran’s Central Bank has in the past flooded the market with more hard currencies as an attempt to improve the rate. In an interview with state television Tuesday night, Central Bank Gov. Mohammad Reza Farzin said that the supply of foreign currency would increase and the exchange rate would be stabilized. He said that $220 million had been injected into the currency market. The currency plunged as Iran ordered the closure of schools, universities, and government offices on Wednesday due to a worsening energy crisis exacerbated by harsh winter conditions. The crisis follows a summer of blackouts and is now compounded by severe cold, snow and air pollution. Despite Iran’s vast natural gas and oil reserves, years of underinvestment and sanctions have left the energy sector ill-prepared for seasonal surges, leading to rolling blackouts and gas shortages. In 2015, during Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers, the rial was at 32,000 to $1. On July 30, the day that Iran’s reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian was sworn in and began his term, the rate was 584,000 to $1. Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord in 2018, sparking years of tensions between the countries that persist today. Iran’s economy has struggled for years under crippling international sanctions over its rapidly advancing nuclear program, which now enriches uranium at near weapons-grade levels. Pezeshkian, elected after a helicopter crash killed hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi in May, came to power on a promise to reach a deal to ease Western sanctions. Tensions still remain high between the nations, 45 years after the 1979 U.S. Embassy takeover and the 444-day hostage crisis that followed. Before the revolution, the rial traded at 70 for $1. Iran remains deeply involved in the Middle East conflicts that have roiled the region, with its allies battered — including the militant groups and fighters of its self-described “axis of resistance,” such as Palestinian Hamas, Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mansour Chavoshi on Wednesday underscored the immense potential for enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors, highlighting Iran’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties. He proposed the signing and renewal of various Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements, including those related to investment, preferential trade, tariff reductions, visa exemptions, cultural exchanges, city-to-city partnerships, and media collaboration. The envoy paid a courtesy call on Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed bilateral issues. IOM urged to facilitate safe, regular migration for skilled human resourcesThe discussions centered on strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations, with particular emphasis on economic and cultural cooperation. During the meeting, Ambassador Chavoshi congratulated the Foreign Secretary on his recent appointment and conveyed his gratitude for Bangladesh's longstanding support on international platforms. The ambassador expressed hope for continued collaboration in multilateral fora. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing bilateral mechanisms, including the convening of the next round of the Joint Ministerial Commission and Foreign Office Consultations at an early date. Foreign Secretary highlights regional diplomacy for peace and development in virtual meeting with Bangladesh envoys Discussions also included the resumption of the Joint Commission meeting in Tehran in the near future.

Israel pounded Iran with a series of airstrikes early Saturday, saying it was targeting military targets in retaliation for the barrage of ballistic missiles the Islamic Republic fired upon Israel earlier this month. Explosions could be heard in the Iranian capital, Tehran, though there was no immediate information on damage or casualties. The attack risks pushing the archenemies closer to all-out war at a time of spiraling violence across the Middle East, where militant groups backed by Iran – including Hamas in Gaza, and Hezbollah in Lebanon – are already at war with Israel. The Israeli military said Saturday it had launched “precise strikes on military targets” and, according to two Israeli officials, it was not targeting nuclear or oil facilities. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the ongoing operation with the media. “The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since Oct. 7 ... including direct attacks from Iranian soil,” Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a prerecorded video statement early Saturday. “Like every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and the duty to respond.” Iran prepares for huge military response amid Israeli tensions Initially, nuclear facilities and oil installations all had been seen as possible targets for Israel’s response to Iran’s Oct. 1 attack, but in mid-October the Biden administration believed it had won assurances from Israel that it would not hit such targets. Iran’s state-run media acknowledged blasts that could be heard in Tehran and said some of the sounds came from air defense systems around the city. But beyond a brief reference, Iranian state television offered no other details and even began showing what it described as live footage of men loading trucks at a vegetable market in Tehran in an attempt to downplay the assault. A Tehran resident told The Associated Press that at least seven explosions could be heard, which rattled the surrounding area. The resident spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. People in Tehran could see what appeared to be tracer fire light up the sky as the blasts could be heard. Other footage showed what appeared to be surface-to-air missiles launching up to the sky and other detonations. Iran closed the country’s airspace early Saturday, and flight-tracking data analyzed by the Associated Press showed commercial airlines had broadly left the skies over Iran, and across Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. The White House said President Joe Biden had been briefed and would continue to receive updates. In Syria, the state news agency SANA, citing an unnamed military official, reported missile fire targeting military sites in the country’s central and southern region. It said that Syria’s air defenses had shot some of the missiles down. There was no immediate information on casualties. Iran has launched two ballistic missile attacks on Israel in recent months amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip that began with the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. That initial attack killed some 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage back to the seaside enclave. In the time since, more than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to local health officials who don’t delineate between civilians and combatants. The U.N. has said hundreds of thousands of people have been trapped with little food or supplies as Israeli forces close in on the northern Gaza town of Jabaliya, while food and other aid remains scarce in the enclave. Israeli military operations in the West Bank in the time since have killed hundreds more. Israel also has launched a ground invasion of Lebanon and a series of punishing airstrikes that have rattled that country. The strike Saturday happened just as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was arriving back in the U.S. after a tour of the Middle East where he and other U.S. officials had warned Israel to tender a response that would not further escalate the conflict in the region and exclude nuclear sites in Iran. White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said in a statement that “we understand that Israel is conducting targeted strikes against military targets in Iran” and referred reporters to the Israeli government for more details on their operation. Two U.S. officials said the U.S. was notified by Israel in advance of the strikes. They said there was no U.S. involvement in the operation. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing operation. Israel had vowed to hit Iran hard following a massive Iranian missile barrage on Oct. 1. Iran said its barrage was in response to deadly Israeli attacks against its proxy in Lebanon, Hezbollah, and it has promised to respond to any retaliatory strikes. Israel and Iran have been bitter foes since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Israel considers Iran to be its greatest threat, citing its leaders’ calls for Israel’s destruction, their support for anti-Israel militant groups and the country’s nuclear program. Israel and Iran have been locked in a yearslong shadow war. A suspected Israeli assassination campaign has killed top Iranian nuclear scientists. Iranian nuclear installations have been hacked or sabotaged, all in mysterious attacks blamed on Israel. Meanwhile, Iran has been blamed for a series of attacks on shipping in the Middle East in recent years, which later grew into the attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on shipping through the Red Sea corridor. But since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, the battle has increasingly moved into the open. Israel has recently turned its attention to Hezbollah, which has been firing rockets into Israel since the war in Gaza began. Throughout the year, a number of top Iranian military figures have been killed in Israeli strikes in Syria and Lebanon. Iran fired a wave of missiles and drones at Israel last April after two Iranian generals were killed in an apparent Israeli airstrike in Syria on an Iranian diplomatic post. The missiles and drones caused minimum damage, and Israel — under pressure from Western countries to show restraint — responded with a limited strike. But after Iran’s early October missile strike, Israel promised a tougher response. Meanwhile Friday, Israeli strikes on residential areas in southern Gaza killed 38 people, including 13 children from the same extended family, Palestinian health officials said. In northern Gaza, health officials reported that Israeli forces had raided Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the few medical facilities still functioning in the area. Israel has renewed its offensive against Hamas in the north in recent weeks, and aid groups are sounding the alarm over dire humanitarian conditions. In Lebanon, Israeli strikes on the country’s southeast killed three journalists working for news outlets that are considered to be aligned with Hezbollah.  

Iran has reportedly placed its armed forces on high alert, preparing for potential conflict yet seeking to avoid escalation, according to a report in The New York Times, cited by Times of Israel. This move follows direct instructions from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has ordered Iran’s military to formulate a range of defensive and retaliatory plans in the event of an Israeli strike. The report quotes four senior Iranian officials, including two members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, who indicated that Iran would retaliate if any significant harm or casualties were inflicted in Israeli attacks. However, they specified that if Israel targets only limited military sites or weapon depots, Tehran’s response may differ. Besides, Iranian officials clarified that any direct assault on critical assets – including oil facilities, nuclear inst.