Iranian Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh predicted "another defeat" for the United States, saying the Islamic republic had a "two-year plan" to counter Washington's new sanctions.

Turkey on Tuesday welcomed the United States' decision to remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, hoping that it would boost efforts to integrate the war-torn country with the world.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that Iran was "collapsing" as Washington prepared to announce the details of a new economic pressure campaign that Tehran has derided as an admission of defeat.

Almost six months into their war, the two sides are locked in a stalemate, with peace talks stalled, Iran keeping the key Strait of Hormuz shut and Washington persisting with a naval counter-blockade of Iran.

A Syrian court on Monday handed a life sentence to Ahmad Hassoun, the country's former grand mufti under ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, convicting him of crimes including inciting sectarian strife and exploiting his position.

Hassoun, the 10th Assad-era figure to be sentenced under the new authorities, was Syria's top Muslim cleric for 16 years, known for his close ties to the former president and frequent appearances alongside him on religious occasions.

Iran's foreign ministry said on Monday that France's move to expel two Iranian diplomats in response to Tehran's ban on two French diplomats was "illegal".

"The action that France took is an illegal action in response to Iran's legal action, and is in no way helpful to bilateral relations," said ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei in a weekly press conference.

A tanker caught fire after being struck by an "unknown projectile" off the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia on Monday, a British maritime agency said.

"The Company Security Officer reported a tanker has been struck by unknown projectile causing a fire to the vessel on the main deck. All crew are safe and accounted for and no environmental impact has been reported," said the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

Lebanon on Sunday arrested an online influencer known for his videos about food who had been handed a life sentence in absentia for drug trafficking, a judicial source told AFP.

Georges Dib, known on TikTok as "Doctor Food" and followed by more than eight million accounts, was apprehended at his home in the far north governorate of Akkar, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Israel carried out a fresh strike in Syria and lambasted U.S. envoy Tom Barrack for criticizing an earlier attack on an air base in the northwest, which Israel has accused Turkey of seeking to use.

U.S. envoy for Syria Tom Barrack on Tuesday slammed Israel's attack on the disused military air base that day as an "unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability".

Iran has warned countries against participating in the United States' "economic war" against the Islamic republic, saying they would be considered enemies.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged on Sunday that his country's citizens face "many problems", after the United States launched a new wave of sanctions seeking to further isolate its economy.