Türkiye, Canada launch free trade exploratory talks

Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat and his Canadian counterpart Maninder Sidhu announced the opening of exploratory discussions toward a comprehensive free trade agreement, building on recent high-level contact between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Mark Carney to deepen bilateral economic partnership.

Türkiye's Fidan to represent Erdogan at SEECP summit in Sofia

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will represent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Southeast European Cooperation Process summit in Sofia on Wednesday, where he is expected to outline Ankara's vision for regional stability and address ongoing security challenges across Europe and the Middle East.

Türkiye targets $10B trade with Syria, new customs gates

Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat announced plans to boost bilateral trade with Syria to $10 billion by the early 2030s and open new customs crossings, as officials gathered in Gaziantep for a summit aimed at deepening economic integration between the two nations.

Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Georgia vow closer trilateral cooperation

The foreign ministers of Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Georgia pledged on Monday to bolster trilateral cooperation across political, economic and security sectors, emphasizing regional connectivity and mutual trust while reaffirming support for transit projects including the Middle Corridor, according to a joint declaration issued in Istanbul.

ADB approves $750M loan for new Türkiye railway line

The Asian Development Bank has approved a €645.83 million ($750 million) loan to finance the Istanbul North Rail Crossing Project, stating that the 127-kilometer line will reinforce Türkiye's strategic role as a key link between Asia and Europe while relieving supply chain bottlenecks for passengers and freight.

Syrian economy minister hails Türkiye as 'natural partner'

Syria's Economy Minister Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar tells Anadolu's City Economies Summit that Damascus views Türkiye as its "natural partner," urging Turkish investors to return as the war-torn nation reopens thousands of factories and drafts new trade laws.

Hezbollah: Iran strikes aimed to uphold Lebanon ceasefire

Hezbollah said on Tuesday that Iranian missile strikes against Israel were intended to pressure Tel Aviv into abiding by the Lebanon ceasefire agreement, describing the attack as a message of moral and political commitment toward Beirut that coincided with support from Yemen's Houthi group as part of joint efforts to deter Israel.

Zelenskyy tells Abramovich Ukraine will not cede territory

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich during a meeting in Kyiv that Ukraine will not voluntarily withdraw from its occupied territories, as the oligarch sought to gauge the infrastructure for potential diplomatic negotiations between the warring parties.

Iran’s Qalibaf: Recent tensions caused by ceasefire violations, naval blockade

Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said that recent tensions were caused by ceasefire violations and the US naval blockade. He stated that diplomacy does not hinder military action nor vice versa, and that negotiations aim to end the war and achieve lasting security, not normalization with the US.

EU proposes new sanctions targeting Russian banks, energy and crypto

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Tuesday unveiled a proposed new package of sanctions against Russia targeting banks, energy traders and cryptocurrency operators in third countries, as the bloc seeks to further weaken Moscow's ability to finance its ongoing war in Ukraine.

South Korea approves decree for $350 billion investment in US

South Korea’s Cabinet approved the enforcement decree for a special law tied to a $350 billion investment pledge to the US, including $150 billion for shipbuilding cooperation and $200 billion for other strategic sectors. The decree follows a special act passed in March and will take effect on June 18. A new joint investment corporation will be established.

China bans dual-use exports to Japan to stop remilitarization attempts

China has banned the export of all dual-use items to Japanese military users or for any purpose that could enhance Japan’s military capabilities, aiming to stop what it calls Japan’s attempts at remilitarization and nuclear weaponization. The ban took effect in January. Beijing has frequently criticized Japan’s increased military spending and deeper security ties with the US.

Iran says US removed World Cup ticket quota for its fans, calls on FIFA to act

Iran’s football federation announced that the US has removed the ticket quota allocated to Iranian fans for the World Cup, leaving the federation unable to distribute tickets through its official system. The federation had already begun selling tickets for matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. Iran called on FIFA to uphold impartiality and justice.

US Apache crew rescued after crash near Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump said the crew of a downed Army Apache attack helicopter survived without injury after the aircraft went down near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, as Washington deploys extensive air assets to counter Tehran's effective blockade of the vital commercial waterway amid ongoing high-stakes negotiations to end the large-scale war between the US, Israel and Iran that began on Feb. 28.

Israeli army issues evacuation alerts for Lebanese towns despite truce

Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for multiple towns in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, claiming civilian areas are being used by Hezbollah despite an ongoing ceasefire and only one day after Tehran announced the suspension of hostilities against Israel.

Trump says Iran deal possible within days as ceasefire holds

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that negotiations with Tehran remain ongoing and a comprehensive agreement to end the war could be signed within days, following a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran that halted weekend strikes across the region.

China warns military force 'cannot solve any problem' in Middle East

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing that military means have proven ineffective, warning that the three-month US-Israeli war with Iran has dealt a severe blow to Gulf nations and urging all parties to respect Middle Eastern sovereignty while pursuing political solutions.

Vance says US to pursue Iran deal regardless of Israel stance

Vice President JD Vance said the United States will continue seeking a nuclear agreement with Iran irrespective of Israel's position, insisting the administration is committed to securing a long-term settlement despite recent military exchanges between Washington's ally and Tehran.

Italy slams Ben-Gvir over 'unacceptable' remarks amid flotilla probe

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Tuesday said the far-right Israeli minister's comments were unworthy of his office after Rome prosecutors placed Ben-Gvir under investigation for the alleged torture and kidnapping of Italian activists detained during the seizure of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla last month.

Trump says US to declare 'total victory' over Iran within two weeks

US President Donald Trump said Monday that Washington will declare "total victory" over Iran within the next two weeks, hours after Tehran and Tel Aviv agreed to halt the latest surge in hostilities following Israeli strikes on Beirut and Iranian missile retaliation that threatened to engulf the region.

Zelenskyy discusses Ukraine peace efforts with Trump envoys

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a “very positive” phone call with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son‑in‑law, during a stop in Moldova. They discussed reinvigorating peace efforts, despite global attention on Iran tensions.

Iran to build five coastal nuclear plants, atomic chief says

Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, told lawmakers Monday that construction of five coastal nuclear power plants is underway to boost the share of nuclear electricity in the national energy mix, even as regional tensions persist following recent exchanges of fire with Israel.

UN chief warns of Gaza aid crisis as Israel seals crossings

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday expressed deep concern over Israel's decision to seal Gaza's Kerem Shalom and Rafah crossings and suspend aid entry, urging immediate resumption of humanitarian flows as the UN confirmed no cargo is entering the besieged territory.

Trump warns Netanyahu he could be 'on your own' in Iran war

US President Donald Trump cautioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that renewing war with Iran risks isolating Israel on the battlefield, according to Axios, as the latest exchange between the leaders contrasted sharply with an earlier call in which Trump called the premier "f****** crazy."

Italian prosecutors probe Ben-Gvir over Gaza flotilla activists

Italian prosecutors have launched an investigation into Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir regarding the treatment of activists from a Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla, focusing on allegations of torture and kidnapping during their detention at the Port of Ashdod.