Trump wields sanctions hammer; experts wonder to what end

WASHINGTON (AP) — Call it the diplomacy of coercion. The Trump administration is aggressively pursuing economic sanctions as a primary foreign policy tool to an extent unseen in decades, or perhaps ever. Many are questioning the results even as officials insist the penalties are achieving their aims. Since...

Iranian tanker sought by US heads to unknown destination

GIBRALTAR (AP) — An Iranian supertanker hauling $130 million worth of light crude oil that the U.S. suspects to be tied to a sanctioned organization lifted its anchor and begun moving away from Gibraltar late on Sunday. The trail left by GPS data on Marinetraffic.com, a vessel tracking service, showed the...

Images show Iran satellite launch looms despite US criticism

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran appears to be preparing another satellite launch after twice failing this year to put one in orbit, despite U.S. accusations that the Islamic Republic's program helps it develop ballistic missiles. Satellite images of the Imam Khomeini Space Center in Iran's Semnan...

Kuwait says ruler, 90, OK after unspecified health 'setback'

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Kuwait's 90-year-old ruling emir suffered an unspecified medical "setback" and later recovered, state media reported Sunday, hours after Iran's visiting foreign minister said he was praying for the ruler's "speedy recovery." Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah underwent...

Gibraltar authorities are rejecting a renewed US request that the UK territory not release an Iranian oil tanker

Iranian tanker to leave Gibraltar soon despite US pressure

GIBRALTAR (AP) — The shipping agent for an Iranian supertanker caught in a diplomatic standoff says the vessel is ready to depart Gibraltar on Sunday or Monday, as the U.S. made a last-minute effort to seize it again. The head of the company sorting paperwork and procuring for the Grace 1 oil tanker in the...

This skipper fled Iran. Now he's preparing to deploy there.

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The new skipper of one of America's aircraft carriers fled Iran as a child. Now, he's preparing for a deployment that could take him back to the region at a time of heightened tensions between the two nations that helped mold him into who he is today. Capt. Kavon Hakimzadeh took command...

UN expert: Executions in Iran among the world's highest

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. expert on human rights in Iran says last year saw increasing restrictions on the right to freedom of expression and continuing violations of the right to life, liberty and a fair trial in the Islamic Republic, including 253 reported executions of adults and children. Javaid...

Lawyer: Iranian supertanker captain no longer wants the job

GIBRALTAR (AP) — The captain of an Iranian supertanker at the center of a diplomatic standoff no longer wants to keep command of the ship, which is in need of repairs that could impede its immediate departure from Gibraltar, the sailor's lawyer said Friday. Any delay in the Grace 1's departure could...

The Latest: US unveils seizure warrant for Iranian tanker

MADRID (AP) — The latest on Iranian supertanker at center of Persian Gulf tensions (all times local): 12:35 a.m. The U.S. government says it has a warrant to seize an oil tanker at the center of a diplomatic standoff because of violations of U.S. sanctions, money laundering and terrorism statutes. The U.S....