Saudi Arabia and Iran are playing a winner-take-all game
Saudi Arabia’s execution on Jan. 2 of an outspoken Shi’ite cleric who called for the overthrow of the Saudi royal family triggered international condemnation and set off protests throughout the Middle East. Demonstrators stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran and set the building on fire. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ratcheted up the rhetoric, declaring: “God’s hand of retaliation will grip the neck of Saudi leaders.” By Jan. 3, the kingdom cut off diplomatic relations with Iran, a move followed by several Saudi allies.
Iran bans imports from Saudi Arabia, faces Saudi boycotts
Iran and Saudi Arabia took further steps to sever commercial ties on Thursday, intensifying a feud between the regional rivals, as Tehran announced a ban on imports from Saudi Arabia and Saudi groups called for boycotts of Iranian products.
Coalition Air Strikes 'Cut IS Oil Revenues By Third'
The U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State (IS) militants says its air strikes have cut oil production by the group in Syria and Iraq by around 30 percent.
Ruble Slides 1.7 Percent, Oil Price Drops To 11-Year Low
The Russian currency has dropped to 74.58 per dollar, the weakest ever on a closing basis.
Russia Denies Refusing Visas To Turkish Carrier
Russia has rejected Ankara's accusation that it was arbitrarily denying visas to the Turkish budget carrier Pegasus.
IS Launches Attacks Near Northwest Iraqi City
Islamic State (IS) fighters have launched several offensives near the city of Haditha in northwest Iraq in the last 48 hours.
Iran Unveils New Missile Bunker
Iran has revealed a previously undisclosed underground bunker housing its latest ballistic missile.
Russia Seeks To Drive Wedge Into Central Asia
Russia appears to be practicing a bit of "divide-and-conquer" politics in Central Asia, and state-owned Gazprom is spearheading the campaign.
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