Bessent warned the US will penalize countries that refuse to cut economic ties with Iran

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declines to say if Chinese banks could face sanctions over Iran ties, saying “no one is above the reach of US sanctions,” Bloomberg reports.

Bulgaria says US military aircraft flew only to NATO countries for exercises

Two US military tanker aircraft recently stationed at Bulgaria’s Bezmer Air Base conducted flights only to NATO countries for exercises and training, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said Monday.

Trump threatens to hike tariffs on Canadian cars, auto parts, steel to 50% from Jan. 1

 Trump said Monday that the United States will increase tariffs on Canadian cars, trucks, auto parts and steel to 50% from Jan. 1, 2027.

Peskov on Pashinyan’s statement that Yerevan would be satisfied if it were expelled from the CSTO

Well, frankly speaking, I find it difficult to understand what it would mean for him to be "pleased" to be expelled; if Yerevan—based on its national interests—no longer needs membership in such an important organization for ensuring regional security, then it is free to make the relevant decision and leave that organization.

Greece moves missile battery to Crete after Iranian threats to US bases in Europe

Greece is moving a Patriot missile battery from the island of Karpathos to the Souda naval base on Crete to bolster air defences, the Greek daily Kathimerini reports.

Iran warns countries against joining U.S. "economic pressure campaign"

A senior Iranian security official on Saturday warned neighboring countries and other states against joining the United States in its "economic pressure campaign" against Iran, saying Tehran would regard such countries as "enemies."

Trump repeats claim that Strait of Hormuz is US territory

President Trump has repeated the claim that the Strait of Hormuz is US territory in a post on Truth Social.

Egypt, Iran discuss regional de-escalation, implementation of Tehran-Washington memorandum

The top diplomats of Egypt and Iran on Saturday discussed efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region and implement a memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington.