The European Union is preparing a reform of energy taxation and network fees that would place a lower tax burden on electricity compared to natural gas, according to a draft proposal reported by Reuters. The initiative is intended to ease pressure on household budgets, which have been strained by rising energy prices following turmoil in global markets linked to the Iran conflict and its impact on oil and gas supplies.
UAE denies reports of it releasing frozen funds to Iran: Report The UAE on Saturday denied media reports that it agreed to release billions of dollars of frozen funds to Iran, according to CNBC. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that these allegations are entirely false and unfounded, stressing that no frozen Iranian funds have been released, transferred, or facilitated through the UAE," the government told CNBC.
President Trump said more than 200 commercial vessels had safely traveled through the strait. That’s still far fewer than before the start of the war.
CNN: Iran has strengthened protections around enriched uranium stockpile Iran has significantly increased efforts in recent weeks to secure its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, according to a CNN report citing five sources familiar with US intelligence assessments. The report said Tehran has isolated parts of the stockpile and taken additional measures to restrict access to facilities where the material is believed to be stored. According to the report, Iran has filled in tunnels and rigged some entrances with explosive mines, making access to the uranium stockpile “much more difficult, dangerous, and time-consuming” than it was a month ago.
Tehran official says $24bn in Iranian funds to be unfrozen A senior Iranian official has claimed that US President Donald Trump agreed to release $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets, despite publicly denying reports of such a move. According to Iran’s state-run Fars news agency, Mohsen Rezaei said Trump had privately accepted the release of the funds but had not openly acknowledged the decision. Rezaei's remarks come amid ongoing discussions over a possible agreement between Washington and Tehran.
Abu Dhabi [UAE], June 13 (ANI): The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Foreign Affairs has categorically denied media reports claiming that USD 3 billion was transferred to Iran. The ministry said the allegations are 'entirely false and unfounded' and clarified that no frozen Iranian funds have been released, transferred, or routed through the UAE.
Trump open to easing sanctions on Iran, Israeli media reports A senior US official said President Donald Trump has directed that sanctions on Iran be eased if Tehran adheres to a future agreement, according to remarks reported by The Times of Israel. The official said Washington welcomed Iran’s reported commitment not to pursue a nuclear weapon but stressed that verification would be required before any deal could be fully implemented. Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a memorandum of understanding with the United States had not yet been signed.
UAE denies releasing or moving frozen Iranian funds The United Arab Emirates has denied media reports that it transferred money to Iran, saying no frozen Iranian funds have been released, moved or routed through the country. In a statement, the UAE rejected reports of any financial transfer to Tehran and said no frozen Iranian assets had passed through its banking system.
ABU DHABI, 13th June, 2026 (WAM) -- The United Arab Emirates has categorically denied reports published by certain international media outlets alleging the transfer of funds from the UAE to the Islamic Republic of Iran, including allegations concerning USD 3 billion.
UAE paid Iran billions of dollars to halt strikes: Report The UAE paid Iran billions of dollars in return for a halt to attacks on the country in an about-face for the Gulf state that staked out the most hawkish position on Iran , lobbying the US to continue waging war on the Islamic Republic, Reuters reported on Friday. The UAE has already delivered $3bn to Iran as part of the agreement, which two regional sources said reached as high as $10bn. Two other sources told Reuters that the UAE would eventually pay Iran $20bn.
UAE paid Iran billions of dollars to halt strikes: Report Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 06/12/2026 - 21:05 IRGC officials stayed at the UAE national security advisor's guest house last week to cut a de-escalation deal (L to R): Dubai Emirate ruler and UAE Vice President Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Abu Dhabi Emirate ruler and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, and UAE Supreme Council Member and Sharjah Emirate ruler Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed al-Qasimi at Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi, on 27 May 2026 (UAE presidential court/AFP) Off The UAE paid Iran billions of dollars in return for a halt to attacks on the country in an about-face for the Gulf state that staked out the most hawkish position on Iran , lobbying the US to continue waging war on the Islamic Republic, Reuters reported on Friday. The UAE has already delivered $3bn to Iran as part of the agreement, which two regional sources said reached as high as $10bn. Two other sources told Reuters that the UAE would eventually pay Iran $20bn.
Iran says nuclear and sanctions issues remain undecided Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi said the administration of the Strait of Hormuz would no longer operate as it did before the war, adding that the waterway falls “under the sovereignty of Iran and Oman”. He said vessels had passed through the strait freely for years, but that arrangement would now change, with Tehran set to charge for services. Araghchi also warned that talks on a final agreement would not move forward unless the terms set out in the MoU were implemented.
Iran says MoU includes mechanism for frozen funds Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says a proposed memorandum of understanding with the US includes a mechanism for Iran’s frozen funds, while rejecting media reports about the text of the deal. Speaking to Iranian media, Araghchi said Tehran and Washington do not endorse the versions of the agreement circulating publicly, adding that none of them are “valid”. He said the two sides would reach an agreement only when both were satisfied with the final text.
UAE agrees to release billions for Iran amid US-Israeli war: Report The United Arab Emirates has agreed to release billions of dollars for Iran, Reuters reports, in a tactical shift after weeks of Iranian attacks during the US-Israeli war on Tehran. The reported move comes as wider talks between Iran and the US enter their final stages, with diplomats saying any deal could include the release of tens of billions of dollars in Iranian oil revenues frozen abroad under US sanctions. Two regional sources told Reuters that the UAE had agreed to release $10bn, including more than $3bn already delivered.
Iran refuses US pressure on MoU draft until final review: state media The Iranian government has rejected pressure regarding the finalization of the US Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Al Mayadeen reported, citing Iranian state-aligned Tasnim and Mehr news agencies. The report mentioned that Iranian governing institutions must conduct a final review of the draft agreement prior to its confirmation. According to Tasnim news, the draft memorandum requires the US to lift secondary sanctions, withdraw forces surrounding Iran, end its naval blockade, and support with the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
New Delhi [India], June 12 (ANI): Domestic equity benchmark indices witnessed a strong rebound on Friday, surging nearly 1. 5 per cent each, as global risk sentiment improved sharply following signals of a possible breakthrough in tensions between the United States and Iran.
‘Illegal and immoral’: How Luxembourg became the EU hub for Israeli war bonds Submitted by Sebastian Shehadi on Thu, 06/11/2026 - 12:23 The grand duchy stepped in to approve bond sales after public pressure forced Ireland to give up the role. Now it faces accusations of complicity in genocide Israel Bonds have been marketed as an opportunity for investors to show their support for the country's military campaigns (Screengrab/X) Off On 1 September 2025, a little-noticed administrative decision by the financial regulator of one of Europe's smallest countries set off a legal storm that is still building. The regulator, Luxembourg's Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), approved a prospectus for Israel's diaspora bond programme allowing it to sell its "Israel Bonds" to retail investors across the European Union.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters Major General Ali Abdollahi warned that continued threats against Iran’s energy infrastructure could jeopardize oil and gas exports, saying such trade would either remain available to all or to no one.
World Cup 2026: Somali referee denied entry by US will officiate Uefa Super Cup final Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 06/11/2026 - 15:35 Omar Artan will take charge of the prestigious fixture between PSG and Aston Villa in Salzburg Somali referee Omar Artan was barred from entering the US to officiate at the World Cup (AFP/Khaled Desouki) Off Uefa has announced that Omar Artan , the Somali referee denied entry into the US for the World Cup, will take charge of the Super Cup final later this summer. Fifa, world football’s governing body, removed Artan from the 2026 World Cup officiating roster after American authorities denied him entry into the country, ending what would have been the first World Cup finals appearance by a Somali match official. Artan, the Confederation of African Football's men's referee of the year in 2025, was barred from entering the US at Miami International Airport.
The war on Iran has pushed up fuel and grocery costs, squeezing household budgets across the US US inflation accelerated to a three-year high in May as soaring energy costs linked to the US-Israeli war on Iran pushed prices higher across the economy, according to government data. Food prices also rose sharply. Consumer prices rose 4.
