Iran’s national football team will participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026 but plans to “boycott” matches scheduled in the United States, the Iranian Football Federation confirmed.

The United States Marine Corps is considering plans to seize key islands near the Strait of Hormuz to secure vital shipping routes and counter potential threats from Iran.

Iran has arrested 97 individuals accused of collaborating with Israel, according to state media, as part of an ongoing security crackdown linked to the current conflict.

Editor’s note: Dr. Afshar Soleymani is a former Iranian ambassador to Azerbaijan, as well as an analyst and researcher in political and international relations. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of News.Az.

U.S. Special Envoy for Belarus John Coale met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk on Thursday as part of efforts to negotiate the release of political prisoners.

Producer prices in the United States rose faster than expected in February, signaling persistent inflationary pressures that analysts warn could intensify further amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

A wide range of international airlines have extended the suspension of flights to destinations across the Middle East as ongoing regional tensions continue to disrupt air travel.

The war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has delivered a significant shock to the global economy. Its consequences are being felt far beyond the immediate conflict zone, affecting not only the directly involved parties but also countries geographically distant from the region. Middle Eastern states and Iran’s partners are experiencing particularly severe repercussions.