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 enriched uranium at 83.7%, close to weapons grade: UN watchdog The news is alarming for Israel, but Iran denied other recent reports that asserted they enriched uranium close to the 90% threshold for a nuclear weapon. Iran
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin to visit Middle East as Iran threat builds Lloyd Austin's visit to the region as Biden's defense secretary is intended as a signal of reassurance as Iran continues to arm and fund proxy militias throughout the region. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Taliban releases Iran border guard, moves into Afghanistan's Embassy in Tehran Iran has had a complicated relationship with the Taliban since the group resumed control over Afghanistan. Iran
Analysis Ukraine war at year 1: Iran’s drones to Russia derail nuclear diplomacy Plus, the family of a US resident on death row in Iran speaks out, and a deadly Israeli raid on Nablus raises State Department concerns. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Analysis Iran floats adherence to NPT, dialogue on Ukraine as JCPOA fades Iranian officials say a nuclear deal is still possible, but US says it’s up to Tehran. By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti
In Iraq, Macron seeks bigger sphere of influence for France In less than a month, French President Emmanuel Macron hosted both Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani and Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani as Paris works to revive its influence in the region and counter China and Iran. Iraq
US Military: Iranian drone hit Israeli-owned tanker in Arabian Sea The drone attack on the Campo Square tanker is at least the fourth suspected Iranian attack targeting a commercial vessel linked to Israeli businessmen in just two years. Iran
US defense intelligence confirms Iran’s drone use in Ukraine The Pentagon report comes a day after the UK government turned over weapons and other evidence to the United Nations that Iran had attempted to ship to Yemen's Houthi rebels in violation of international law. Iran
Pentagon, State Department officials in Saudi Arabia to talk Iran strategy Like its predecessors, the Biden administration wants Gulf Cooperation Council states to share air defense intel to defuse potential attacks by Iran, but will they work together? Legacy: Gulf
Iraq's FM: We are in touch with the US, Iran to reduce tensions In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Fuad Hussein discusses US-Iraq economic relations, regional economic integration and sanctions on Russia and Iran. Iraq
US unveils new sanctions on Iran's petroleum industry The sanctions targeted nine entities the Treasury Department said were involved in producing, shipping and selling Iranian petrochemicals and petroleum. Iran
Iran’s FM visits Venezuela, Nicaragua to shore up 'anti-Western' alliances The US recently eased sanctions on Venezuela, and the South American country’s openness to repair ties with Washington is worrisome for the Iranian government. Iran
