Culture World Cup opens amid visa disputes for Iran, Iraq and Somalia Iran says a number of team staff were denied entry into the US, with Trump administration officials touting efforts to prevent affiliates of designated terrorist groups from entering. Iran
Bessent says Iran's frozen assets will pay for Gulf damage, Hormuz tolls US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that any damage Iran inflicts on Gulf allies will be paid for with funds extracted from Iranian accounts. Iran
Explainer US strategic oil stockpile nears four-decade low as Iran war drags on The US Strategic Petroleum Reserve fell to 349.2 million barrels amid the global energy shock caused by the war in Iran. United States
Trump vows continued ‘very hard’ strikes on Iran as negotiators leave Qatar The US president's latest threats came just hours after Qatari mediators wrapped up talks early Thursday morning in pursuit of a final draft agreement to end the war. Iran
US issues more Iran sanctions as Trump says strikes will resume By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Iran accuses Israel of poisoning nuclear talks Iran's sharp rebuke followed reports that Israel had shared intelligence with Western partners alleging that Iran's nuclear enrichment has nearly reached weapons-producing levels. Iran
The Takeaway: Israel’s military threats shadow Iran nuclear talks Erdogan digs in on lira; Egypt, Ethiopia tensions rise again over Nile Dam; Assassins "carefully planned" attack on Iraqi PM; Iraqi Shiite scholars ponder post-Sistani era; Children become breadwinners in besieged Idlib; The return of Mohammed Ali Pasha’s palace … all in less than 1,200 words. Israel
Jordan to support US Navy unmanned drone task force in Red Sea The Royal Jordanian Naval Base at Aqaba will host the US 5th Fleet's Task Force 59 to test unmanned surface craft in the coming weeks. Jordan
Iran-linked militia calls up thousands of volunteers to fight US forces An IRGC-linked armed faction in Iraq has urged men across the country to take up arms against any US forces remaining after Dec. 31, claiming to have received tens of thousands of "calls" from citizens willing to help. Iraq
Iran denounces US sanctions over election interference Iran said the new sanctions imposed on a group of Iranians for alleged election meddling were a continuation of the Trump administration's "maximum pressure" campaign. Iran
Iranian helicopter made 'dangerous' approach to US Navy ship, Pentagon says Iran and the United States are upping the ante in the Gulf ahead of a planned return to negotiations in Vienna. Legacy: Gulf
Iran negotiator says goal in Vienna is to undo 'illegal sanctions' Indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran on the latter’s nuclear program will resume on Nov. 29 after a five-month pause. News Brief
The Takeaway: Iran says US must show goodwill ahead of nuclear talks Saudi Arabian beach riles conservatives; Turkey responds to Erdogan health speculation; Arab-Israeli legislator vindicated by budget; Alexandria’s global warming worries; Egypt offers divorce counseling; Pharaoh’s honey bees still buzzing; all in less than 1,500 words! Iran
Iran's IRGC praises forces in Gulf of Oman incident Iran claims its naval forces thwarted a US attempt to confiscate oil from an Iranian tanker, yet Washington denies the incident even occurred. Iran
Iran condemns assassination attempt on Iraqi prime minister While many have speculated that Iran-backed militias were behind the attack, hard-line Iranian media outlets pointed the finger at the United States. Iran
US approves sale of air-to-air missiles to Saudi Arabia The Biden administration says the weapons are key to Saudi Arabia's self-defense from Iran-backed drone attacks out of Yemen. Iran
Iran increases enriched uranium stockpile ahead of Vienna talks Indirect talks between the United States and Iran on the latter’s nuclear program will resume in late November after months of delay. Iran