AnewZ Morning Brief - 22 February, 2026

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 22nd of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.

Trump says he will raise global tariff rate from 10% to 15%

President Donald Trump said he will raise temporary tariffs on nearly all U.S. imports from 10% to 15% after the Supreme Court struck down his previous programme for exceeding presidential authority. The new rate is based on Section 122, which permits tariffs up to 15% for 150 days without Congress. Trump said he will use that window to craft additional “legally permissible” measures and will rely on statutes tied to national security and unfair trade probes. In a Truth Social post, he said countries had been “ripping” the U.S. off and that he would raise the tariff “effective immediately” to the fully allowed level. He attacked individual justices after the 6-3 ruling and insisted he still holds broad power to set tariffs.

Iran designates EU naval and air forces as ‘terrorist entities’

Iran designated the naval and air forces of EU member states as “terrorist entities” after the bloc blacklisted the IRGC, calling the EU move “illegal and unjustifiable” and saying the IRGC is part of its armed forces. Tehran acted under its 2019 countermeasures law, which permits reciprocal action against countries that adopt U.S. or EU terrorism designations. The step places EU forces under Iran’s sanctions framework as tensions with Europe rise over security policies and recent protests. The EU listing freezes IRGC assets and bars financial support. Iran’s parliament had already signalled reciprocal designation, followed by the summoning of EU ambassadors.

Ukraine sanctions Russian maritime and defence networks

Zelenskyy approved new sanctions on 46 Russian nationals, two Iranians and 44 Russian defence-linked companies involved in missile, drone, electronic warfare and ammunition supply chains. Kyiv also targeted 225 captains in Russia’s shadow fleet, accusing them of moving petroleum products through the Black, Red and Baltic Seas to evade EU and G7 restrictions. Two Iranian citizens were sanctioned over aviation parts tied to Shahed drone production. Ukraine will share the listings with partners to strengthen enforcement.

Pakistan carries out cross-border strikes in Afghanistan

Pakistan said it struck seven militant camps inside Afghanistan after blaming recent suicide bombings, including Ramadan attacks, on Pakistani Taliban fighters based across the border. It cited “conclusive evidence” linking the violence to Taliban and ISKP hideouts. Kabul denied the claim. The strikes came days after Afghanistan released three Pakistani soldiers in a Saudi-mediated effort to ease tensions. Pakistan tied the violence to a Shi'ite mosque bombing in Islamabad and attacks in Bajaur and Bannu, where a suicide bomber hit a military convoy, killing two soldiers. Border closures and clashes, including deadly October fighting, continue to strain relations.

Islamic State claims new phase of operations in Syria

Islamic State (IS) claimed two attacks on Syrian army personnel on Saturday, saying they marked a “new phase” against President Ahmed al-Sharaa. IS reported shootings in Mayadin and Raqqa, while Syria said a soldier and a civilian were killed by unknown assailants. The group accused al-Sharaa of serving “Turkish-American occupation” and threatened he would share Assad’s fate. The incidents follow another IS attack in Deir al-Zor and U.N. reporting on five foiled assassination attempts on Syria’s new leadership.

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Morning Brief Pakistan Afghanistan Donald Trump Tariffs Iran European Union Ukraine Sanctions Russia Syria Terrorism Islamic state