Satellite images could indicate return to activity at Iranian compound: Report The images show renewed vehicle and earth-moving activity at an Iranian compound that Israel struck in March. Iran
Analysis Iran’s execution drive intensifies as war provides cover for repression Iran has recently executed more protesters, raising fresh questions about how it is using wartime narratives and global inattention to reshape its approach toward dissent and instill societal fear. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Flights continue in Saudi Arabia despite Houthi attacks, airspace threats Overnight attacks on King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Jazan and Najran International Airport damaged facilities and wounded three people. Saudi Arabia
Hormuz tanker attacks mount, putting oil flows at risk Roughly a dozen reported attacks on tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz suggests Iran is once again dialing up the pressure as US economic sanctions plunge the rial to new lows. Iran
Mideast oil exports surpass prewar levels despite pipeline, ship attacks By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
US pulls B-1 bombers from UK air base amid security fears: What to know By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis Why Trump-Xi summit did not move the China needle away from Iran By Yun Sun In Washington, DC, reporting on China-Middle East ties
US changes tune on Gaza ‘cease-fire’ as Rafah fears grow Under pressure internationally and from Democratic voters, the Biden administration has begun to call for a "temporary cease-fire" in Gaza. Israel
A year on from Iran-Saudi thaw, little to show beyond photo ops Despite the detente, the two sides appear to have adopted few tangible measures to narrow their long-standing differences over regional influence, while their covert divergence on the Gaza war has only added to the complications of their fragile rapprochement. Iran
US designation of Houthis as terror group comes into effect The Houthi struck a Panama-flagged tanker ship in the Gulf of Aden with a missile as Washington restored its terror designation on the group in a bid to clamp down on its attacks on commercial shipping. Legacy: Gulf
Iran's IRGC claims developing stealth drones that 'can hit any vessel' Iranian missiles and drones are believed to have been fired by its regional proxies against Israeli and international ships, as the scope of the Israel-Hamas war expands across the region. Iran
US seizes Iranian missile parts in Arabian Sea headed to Yemen's Houthis The United States has struggled to choke off Iran's smuggling of weapons components to Yemen's Houthi rebels. Legacy: Gulf
Analysis Iran's use of 2 UK banks to evade sanctions tests West's financial systems The Financial Times reported earlier this week that Lloyds Bank and Santander UK provided accounts to companies with links to Iran’s intelligence services. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Are Iran-backed militias turning their drones against Syria’s Kurds? Syria’s Kurdish-led militia has increasingly found itself in the crosshairs of attacks by Iran-backed militias amid tit-for-tat strikes between US forces and Iran’s proxies. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
US brings retribution to Iran-backed militia leader in Baghdad strike The assassination of a Kataib Hezbollah commander in Baghdad on Wednesday came as the US military has struggled to intimidate Iran-backed groups without escalating towards direct conflict with Iran amid tensions over Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Iraq
US strike in Baghdad kills Kataib Hezbollah commander as Iraq tensions simmer A Telegram channel affiliated with Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) reported that Abu Baqir al-Saadi, a commander in Kataib Hezbollah, was killed in the attack. Iraq
Iran plans joint naval exercise with Russia, China as Red Sea tensions soar The trilateral drills will be the first this year that Iran is holding with the two powers, as it remains under Western pressure over involvement in attacks on international navigation in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. Iran
Why Iraq's dinar is trading below official dollar rate amid new restrictions A top US official visited Iraqi officials last week to discuss countering illicit finance and strengthening Iraq’s financial system. Iraq
Pentagon vows more strikes against Iran-backed groups, rejects open-ended campaign The Pentagon says it isn't planning for an open-ended campaign of retaliation against Iran-backed groups, even as Israel vows to expand its war in Gaza on to the Rafah area. Syria
