US Military and Gulf Counties Keep Oil Flowing The U.S. sanctions and naval blockade are placing severe economic pressure on Iran, restricting oil revenues, foreign currency, imports, and access to global finance. However, global energy markets have adapted to disruptions…
Oil Price: US-Iran Truce Hopes vs Houthi Attacks Oil prices declined as markets weighed potential U.S.-Iran peace talks against renewed attacks and supply risks in the Middle East, particularly concerns over renewed Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia. Brent remained supported…
The Mecca Agreement is More Signalling at this Stage Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have signed the Mecca Joint Defence Pact, pledging to treat an attack on one member as an attack on all. The agreement signals growing regional efforts…
Geopolitical Play Against China and Russia in Middle East the Trump administration’s proposed 30-year civil nuclear cooperation deal with Saudi Arabia is not just about energy, but a strategic tool to push Saudi Arabia toward normalizing relations with Israel through…
US-Iran War: Escalate or Negotiate A major escalation between the U.S. and Iran, with U.S. airstrikes hitting multiple sites in Iran and Iran retaliating against U.S. military facilities across the region. The conflict has raised fears of a wider war…
Post-Ayatollah Regime: More Flexible? U.S. officials are betting Iran could be persuaded to change its long-standing hostility toward the United States in exchange for sanctions relief and economic benefits. But history suggests this is difficult: past attempts, including the 2015…
US Iran MOU Opens Strait of Hormuz The proposed U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding that would immediately pause hostilities, ease sanctions, reopen shipping access in the Persian Gulf, and begin negotiations for a final nuclear agreement within 60 days. It includes…
Deal to Open Strait of Hormuz is Close The U.S. and Iran are close to a preliminary agreement that could extend the cease-fire, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and set up later talks on Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions relief…
The US and Israel Did Have a Iran Plan A New York Times article notes that U.S. and Israeli planners briefly considered installing hard-line former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a pliable leader of Iran after early 2026 strikes killed top…
Future of US Gulf Strategic Relationship The recent Gulf war between Iran and U.S./Israeli-aligned forces exposed deep strategic strain: Gulf states feel vulnerable despite long U.S. security guarantees, Iran’s missile-and-drone attacks disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and regional…
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