U.S. will collapse Iran's economy by shutting down its oil industry, Treasury Secretary says
Trump has launched a maximum pressure campaign on Iran but has also said he wants to negotiate a nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic.
China, Russia ‘very likely’ to use AI to try and disrupt next election: CSE
A new report says cybercriminals linked to China, Russia and Iran are using generative AI tools like deepfakes to spread disinformation and target elections around the world.
Exclusive-US Mulls Plan to Disrupt Iran's Oil by Halting Vessels at Sea
A speedy resumption of oil exports from Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region would help offset any fall in Iranian exports. Reuters previously reported that the White House is piling pressure on Iraq to allow Kurdish oil exports to restart or face sanctions alongside Iran.
Iran using smaller ships to skirt sanctions in China oil trade
The shift is likely due to their ability to discharge oil at shallower Chinese berths. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Middle East Eye4h
US air drills with Israel signal hard line on Iran but door still open to a deal
Joint air force drills send a powerful message, but US's willingness to engage Hamas and Russia means a narrow window remains open
China, Iran-based threat actors have found new ways to use American AI models for covert influence: Report
A February threat report from OpenAI details examples of how threat actors, including those likely based in China and Iran, are using U.S.-based AI tools.
OilPrice.com14h
U.S. Considers Cutting Iran’s Oil Flows By Inspecting Tankers at Sea
The Trump Administration is considering using an international treaty to allow U.S. allies to halt and inspect Iranian oil tankers, aiming to further cripple Iran’s oil exports.
Russian, Iranian oil supply to China rebounds as new vessels cash in on the trade
China's imports of Russian Far East crude and Iranian oil are set to rebound in March as non-sanctioned tankers, drawn by lucrative payoffs, joined the trade replacing vessels under U.S. embargo, trade sources and analysts said.
Military Funding: Iran Seeks to Access Billions in Frozen Hard Currency
Iran needs hard currency for its military and to re-arm Hezbollah. Tehran is now apparently seeking to access billions of dollars that lie frozen in the accounts of a subsidiary of the German stock exchange.
China Daily17h
Iran rejects claim of seeking to threaten Britain's security
TEHRAN - Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Wednesday rejected "baseless" claims by British officials that Tehran seeks to threaten Britain's national security.
Russia seeks to serve as mediator between US and Iran
Russia has offered to mediate between the United States and Iran, a source briefed on discussions told Reuters on Tuesday, as the Kremlin vowed to do everything possible to facilitate a peaceful solution to tensions over Tehran's nuclear program.
Iran says it attracted over $8 billion in foreign investment over the past six months
Iran announced Monday that it had received more than $8 billion in foreign investment over the last six months.