Alex Vatanka
Coverage of Alex Vatanka in the Nexus archive.
- Khamenei funeral signals Iran's defiance and new regional order
Iran's funeral for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei highlighted the country's defiance against the US and Israel, emphasizing its strategic leverage over the Strait of Hormuz. The event underscored Iran's resolve to secure recognition of its control over the vital oil chokepoint as a key diplomatic asset.
- Major dispute to threaten Trump's Iran deal over billions in frozen Tehran funds: expert
U.S. and Iranian negotiators in Switzerland face a dispute over billions in frozen Iranian assets, threatening the stability of a recent interim agreement. The conflict centers on conditional access to funds under the June 17 memorandum of understanding, with Iranian officials demanding the return of $6 billion in Qatar and U.S. leaders, including Donald Trump, emphasizing strict compliance-based release terms.