Meet Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi, Iran's defense minister nominee Akhlaghi Ketabchi has been heavily involved in Iran's missiles programs, and it is not clear how much input Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had in the nomination process. Iran
US quietly aids Saudi Arabia’s Yemen campaign with intel, refueling Pentagon aims to keep Yemen and Iran wars separate while shielding the flow of Gulf oil exports from attack as Riyadh bears the brunt of the Houthis' missile and drone barrages. Yemen
Iran joins SCO drill as China resists direct intervention in US-Iran war An IRGC official said the exercise will focus on countering extremist activities and containing violent groups. Iran
Iraq devalues dinar 13% as Hormuz disruption hits oil revenue The central bank said in a statement that it had revised the official exchange rate to 1,520 Iraqi dinars per dollar from around 1,320. Iraq
Analysis Iran’s execution drive intensifies as war provides cover for repression By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Iran police chief makes rare visit to Russia for surveillance deals The police commander's trip came against the backdrop of Iran's months-long unrest and reports that Tehran has been seeking Moscow's advice and surveillance equipment to crack down on dissent. Iran
Israel: seizure of millions of dollars in crypto linked to Iran IRGC, Hezbollah The news follows Hamas announcing it will not use Bitcoin anymore and more government scrutiny of cryptocurrency transactions, including by the United States. Israel
Iran-US diplomacy trudges on as hopes of new nuclear understandings grow Even if the nuclear deal is never revived, recent developments give hope that the nuclear situation will not deteriorate further. Iran
South Syria increasingly unstable even as normalization proceeds with Assad Economic turmoil and failed attempts at reconciliation over a decade after the beginning of Syria's civil war keep the country on unstable footing. Syria
Congress doubles down on Middle East defense architecture in NDAA markups To counter China's influence and Iran activities, lawmakers want to expand cybersecurity, maritime and air and missile defense support to Middle East allies and enable Israeli Air Force pilots as Arab leaders begin to engage with Iran. Legacy: Gulf
Iran rushes regional thaw in UAE as it hopes for sanctions relief Iran's foreign minister was in the United Arab Emirates to pursue the Islamic Republic's reproachment drive, while his deputy was on a parallel mission in neighboring Qatar in a quest for sanctions relief through indirect diplomacy with the United States. United Arab Emirates
Family fears US resident jailed in Iran will be left out of prisoner deal As Iran and the United States appear closer to a potential prisoner exchange, Shahab Dalili’s Virginia-based family is urging the Biden administration not to leave him behind. Iran
Iran's FM visits Kuwait, then UAE in latest Gulf charm offensive Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrived in Oman on Tuesday to meet with Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi as part of his Gulf tour that began in Doha. United Arab Emirates
UK launches probe into British colleges accused of helping Iran develop drones British leader Rishi Sunak confirmed the inquiry into UK universities' cooperation with Iran in the House of Commons on Wednesday. Iran
Iran’s FM visits Qatar, Oman as indirect talks with US see momentum Qatar and Oman have maintained communications with Iran and Saudi Arabia, also playing a mediating role between Washington and Tehran. Qatar
Iran, Uzbekistan ink major deals during rare visit by Uzbek president The Islamic Republic offered to share its "experience" in overcoming international sanctions in the first visit by an Uzbek leader to Tehran in 20 years, marked by multiple trade and energy agreements. Iran
In new purge, Iran expels independent, Reformist professors Iran's hard-line government is forcing its own critics out of universities. Iran
