Russia says it won’t tax VPN traffic after all

Rubio sounds alarm over Iran's $40B Hormuz shakedown threatening global trade

Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Iran's reported Hormuz toll plan could unleash a dangerous global precedent for trade. Rubio said allowing Tehran to monetise one of the world's busiest shipping lanes could spread to other key maritime chokepoints. The reported proposal could generate up to $40 billion a year by charging vessels using the strategic Strait of Hormuz. According to reports, Iran envisions a formal toll system tied to security, transit services and regional oversight arrangements. Rubio warned the model could spread "like a contagion," with other nations attempting to tax vital international waterways.

Iran Recast Its Hormuz Toll as a ‘Service Fee.’ The MoU Banned Tolls, Not Fees.

Secretary of State Rubio said Iran cannot charge tolls or fees on an international waterway. Iran's Foreign Ministry had already found its answer: what Tehran is charging is not a toll, it is a service fee — and the MoU only banned one of those words.

China Is Luring the World to the Yuan—and Hobbling Western Sanctions

Iran and Russia have used the currency to carry out oil sales and other trade, evading controls on dollar transactions.

Marco Rubio Warns Iran: “Abandon the Fantasy Now”

President Trump’s Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced at a press conference this week in Manama, Bahrain, that the United States will not allow Iran to charge a fee at the Strait of Hormuz. Rubio said: “You can call it a fee. You can call it a toll, call it whatever you want. If you []

Trump Lifts Iran Oil Sanctions: Billions Flow to Revolutionary Guards 

Treasury issues general license allowing Tehran to sell oil in dollars IRGC included in sanctions relief despite terror designation | The dramatic financial implications (World News)

U.S. hits Iran with fresh strikes, renewed sanctions after tanker attacks

The U.S. Treasury Department also revoked its general license authorizing Iran's oil sales, suspending its temporary authorization issued just a couple weeks ago. The post U.S. hits Iran with fresh strikes, renewed sanctions after tanker attacks appeared first on MS NOW.

United States revokes license authorizing sale of Iranian oil

The Treasury Department revoked a license Tuesday that had authorized the sale of Iranian oil after the country fired missiles on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The department approved the 60-day license last month, which waived sanctions on Iranian oil as part of an interim agreement to end the fighting in the Middle East. []...Click to read more

Iran’s frozen billions of dollars to be unblocked — President Pezeshkian

Iran’s frozen billions of dollars to be unblocked — President Pezeshkian

Trump Just Upturned China’s Illicit Petroleum Network

Per the terms of the recent U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding, the U.S. Treasury had waived sanctions on some Iranian crude oil exports for 60 days. That move quickly sent American gas prices downward. Then, on July 6, Iran renewed attacks on shipping that got the waiver revoked. But for China, there seems to be little...

US and Iran clash over Hormuz transit toll

Tehran insists it can levy fees on shipping while Washington claims no country may charge for passage through an international waterwayThe US and Iran have clashed over Tehran's move to levy a toll on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.Washington has insisted that Tehran cannot impose transit fees, while Iran argues it can levy charges for services provided.Iran intends to intro

South Korea ‘fake news’ law triggers free speech, censorship fears

A viral YouTube video, a one-star review on a delivery app, a heated post on a parenting community – all of these will fall under the same legal standard in South Korea starting next Tuesday. The revised Information and Communications Network Act, widely known as the “fake news” law, introduces punitive damages for YouTubers with more than 100,000 subscribers and high-traffic TikTok accounts if they display what authorities define as “unlawful” content. Platforms such as Naver, Kakao, Google and...

State Duma Passes Bill Delaying VAT Tax Hikes for Small Businesses

Under the legislation, small businesses using Russia’s simplified tax system would only have to pay the national value-added tax if their revenue exceeds 260,000.

Treasury Department issues temporary license for Iranian oil sales

The Treasury Department on Monday move to temporarily allow the sale of Iranian oil, issuing a 60 day “general license” that lifts restrictions normally in place on the commodity. “In line with the ongoing productive talks in Switzerland, Iran has committed to free and open transit in the Strait of Hormuz and to permit International...

Strait of Hormuz: US lifts sanctions on Iranian oil

The United States has lifted sanctions on Iranian oil till August 21, 2026. The US Treasury Department announced this on Monday. The Department stressed that the temporary suspension is to enable Iran produce, sell and deliver crude oil and related products. “All transactions that were previously prohibited involving the production, sale, and transport of Iranian-origin crude oil [] Strait of Hormuz: US lifts sanctions on Iranian oil

Russia bans diesel exports to ensure domestic supply after targeted Ukrainian drone strikes

MOSCOW, July 8 (Reuters) - Russia introduced a ban on diesel exports on Wednesday as part of a raft of measures to support the domestic fuel market after systematic Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refineries triggered shortages and price spikes in some regions. Drivers in many regions are facing hours-long lines to refuel, as intensifying Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure squeeze supplies of diesel and gasoline.

US revokes waiver allowing Iran oil sales after attacks

The U.S. Treasury Department revoked a waiver that allowed the sale of Iranian oil in response to attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, jeopardizing an interim peace deal between Washington and Tehran. The Office of Foreign Assets Control ...

Rubio says Iran will never be able to charge tolls through Strait of Hormuz

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that Iran would never be able to charge tolls through the Strait of Hormuz, arguing it was forbidden under international law. When asked by a reporter whether the United States would be able to secure the freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, Rubio responded forcefully in []

U.S. lifts sanctions on Iranian oil

News Updates From CLG CLG News Jun 23, 2026 All links and summaries are here. U.S. lifts sanctions on Iranian oil | 22 June 2026 | The U.S. has issued a temporary sanctions waiver for Iran’s oil sector, authorizing the production, sale, delivery, and import of Iranian crude [] The post U.S. lifts sanctions on Iranian oil first appeared on Attack the System.

North Korean illicit coal exports rising due to lax sanctions monitoring: report

North Korea has ramped up illicit coal exports on the back of its ties with China and Russia, a new report found, with its military exploiting weakened sanctions oversight to profit from trade tied to forced labor, slavery and other human rights abuses. “Satellite imagery of Nampo port taken post the pandemic shows North Korean []

US Ambassador Slams Iran: No More Free Shipping Attacks

US Ambassador Slams Iran: No More Free Shipping Attacks

The US has reimposed Iran’s oil sanctions. What does that mean for Tehran?

The United States’ decision to reimpose penalties on sales of Iranian oil is a serious knock to Tehran, which had hoped for an economic windfall following decades of American sanctions. The temporary sanctions waiver removed penalties on foreign investors buying Iran’s oil. It was a key concession by the US, made in exchange for Iran The post The US has reimposed Iran’s oil sanctions. What does that mean for Tehran? appeared first on Egypt Independent.

US sanctions Dubai financier tied to Khamenei, Iranian exchange network

The sanctions target a global financial network that enriches Iran's ruling elite and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps while restricting Tehran's access to foreign currency, according to the U.S. Treasury Department.

TISZA Government Presents MOL with the Bill for Access to Russian Oil

The TISZA government intends to increase the tax burden on the Hungarian oil company and plans to expand the special tax, which is linked to the price difference between Brent and Urals crude oil. Based on the draft bill, MOL could pay HUF 10 billion (approximately EUR 28 million) into the budget as early as [] The post TISZA Government Presents MOL with the Bill for Access to Russian Oil appeared first on Hungary Today.

Stricter border controls leave Hyesan foragers with nowhere to sell their harvest

Tightened border controls along North Korea’s frontier with China have effectively shut down the mushroom smuggling trade in Ryanggang province in 2026, cutting off a seasonal source of cash income that local people had relied on for years. A source in Ryanggang province told Daily NK on Monday that in previous years, people would begin []

With US sanctions temporarily lifted, is Iranian crude back on the menu?

The US-Iran deal waives sanctions on Iranian oil sales, but Washington will need further steps to meaningfully shift global crude trade and ensure clearer visibility into Iranian oil transactions. The post With US sanctions temporarily lifted, is Iranian crude back on the menu? appeared first on Atlantic Council.

Iran seeks multibillion-dollar role in Strait of Hormuz reopening as US forbids tolls - report

During US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to the Gulf states this week, he made it clear that Iran would not be allowed to impose tolls on ships wishing to pass through the strait.

Russia Bans Diesel Exports as Ukrainian Strikes Intensify Fuel Crisis

Russia has temporarily banned diesel exports in an effort to stabilize a deepening fuel crisis triggered by sustained Ukrainian strikes on energy infrastructure. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said the move aims to boost domestic supplies, with the ban in place until July 31. Most Russian regions now face rationing or shortages, forcing authorities to cap sales and prompting long lines at gas stations, while Putin downplays the situation as “not critical.”

Bessent: Iran commits to 'free, open' Hormuz transit, return of IAEA inspectors in Switzerland talks

WASHINGTON, June 22 (Yonhap) -- Iran has committed to allow free and open tran...

An oil superpower that can’t fill its own gasoline tanks: How Ukraine’s drone war upended Russia’s fuel market

Shortages of gasoline and diesel have affected most of Russia’s regions, as well as the annexed areas of Ukraine, to one degree or another. Regional restrictions usually take the form of bans on filling canisters and limits on how much any one customer can buy. At some gas stations, there’s no gasoline or diesel at all; at others, lines stretch for miles, and drivers spend hours — sometimes dozens of hours — waiting.

Bilal Kiyani, business community discuss tax reforms, export facilitation

Bilal Kiyani, business community discuss tax reforms, export facilitation

KZT: Less support from state FX flows warrants attention

COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES: Kazakhstan will abolish the requirement for quasi-state companies to sell 50 of their FX export proceeds from this week. The fundamental impact of this measure is likely to be limited, but the broader trend of declining state support for the tenge is more important, favouring our view on limited scope for appreciation under current global assumptions

Pendapatan rakyat perlu dipertingkat sebelum perkenal GST

PETALING JAYA: Pelaksanaan Cukai Barang dan Perkhidmatan (GST) bukan penyelesaian utama untuk meningkatkan hasil negara, sebaliknya kerajaan memberi tumpuan kepada usaha meningkatkan pendapatan rakyat supaya lebih ramai layak membayar cukai pendapatan. Timbalan Menteri Kewangan, Liew Chin Tong berkata, cukai penggunaan dalam pelbagai bentuk merupakan sesuatu yang tidak dapat dielakkan dalam sesebuah negara, namun ia tidak ... Read more The post Pendapatan rakyat perlu dipertingkat sebelum perkenal GST appeared first on Utusan Malaysia.

IRGC warns ships off Oman's corridor in Hormuz as Rubio draws line on tolls

The IRGC warned that any vessel navigating outside Tehran's designated routes was acting illegally, directly rejecting Oman's newly announced temporary corridor, as Rubio told a GCC meeting the US would not accept fees regardless of how they are framed.

Pakistan Says No Tolls or Fees in Hormuz Strait

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar tells Al Arabiya that Islamabad’s understanding is that no fees or tolls will be levied by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran: U.S. sanctions against its oil exports discussed at Swiss talks

Iran: U.S. sanctions against its oil exports discussed at Swiss talks

US Authorizes Iranian Oil Sales in Major Shift on Sanctions

WASHINGTON, Jun 23: The United States on Monday announced a broad sanctions waiver for Iran’s energy sector, authorizing the sale and transport of Iranian oil, allowing payments to...

U.S. Temporarily Lifts Sanctions on Iranian Oil

The Treasury Department on Monday issued a 60-day license allowing the production, delivery, and sale of Iranian oil as part of the preliminary U.S.-Iran deal signed last week. Iran stands to reap significant financial rewards from the reprieve, which represents a sharp reversal of American policy. Most importantly, it clears a path for the country []

🇺🇸❌🇮🇷 — The U.S.

— The U.S. Treasury has sanctioned three Iranian currency exchange houses and two Iranian financial networks, along with an Iranian multinational real estate firm alleged to have ties to the IRGC and Mojtaba Khamenei.