Iran’s World Cup players face US visa uncertainty over military service: What to know The head of Iran’s soccer body said this week that some players might not receives visa to the US due to their military service. Iran
Russia to launch 3 Iranian satellites into orbit this month: What to know The upcoming launch will be the second time Russia’s Soyuz rockets have carried Iranian-made satellites into space. Iran
Lebanon's FM snubs Iran, turns down invitation to visit Tehran: What to know Youssef Rajji declined an invitation from his Iranian counterpart to visit Tehran, saying, "The appropriate conditions for such a visit were not present.” Lebanon
Analysis Russian leak signals Su-35s for Iran moving to production: What to know Recently leaked documents suggest 16 fighters are already on Russian assembly lines, with deliveries slated through 2027. For Tehran, it would be the first meaningful fighter upgrade in decades. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Analysis Iran’s new military drills near disputed islands ratchet up tensions with UAE By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Iraq’s next PM? Shatri, Eidani, Kadhimi and others jostle for lead By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Confusion around US-Iran prisoner swap as Tehran puts out its own narrative Iran's official explanation of the prisoner swap agreement carried discrepancies with the one confirmed by the American side, most notably on how Tehran could potentially access and spend $6 billion in funds once unfrozen. Iran
US, Iraq defense chiefs discuss post-Islamic State strategy Congress has long sought answers as to how the Pentagon plans to prepare Iraq’s military forces to stand on their own after the defeat of the Islamic State. This week, the Biden administration took a first step. Iraq
Iran moves US prisoners to house arrest ahead of planned exchange Under a detainee deal negotiated between Washington and Tehran, several US citizens imprisoned in Iran have been transferred to house arrest in a step toward their full release. Iran
UAE president meets US national security adviser amid regional tensions National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan’s trip to Abu Dhabi comes amid US military maneuvers aimed at countering Iran in the Gulf. United Arab Emirates
Iran warns of more ship seizures in defiance of US Marines' Gulf deployment Tehran ratcheted up its rhetoric against Washington in the wake of fresh American reinforcement in the Persian Gulf, prompted by the Iranian "harassment" of international commercial ships there. Iran
Why is US sending 3,000 Navy, Marines force to Persian Gulf? The Pentagon has not yet specified the Marines' role in deterring Iran from interfering with commercial shipping and threatening neighboring Arab states. Iran
Iran’s foreign minister meets Japanese counterpart in rare Tokyo trip Hossein Amir-Abdollahian's visit to Japan comes amid mounting tensions in the region over Iran’s nuclear activities and attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf. Iran
Analysis Biden considers raising stakes for escalation with Iran in Gulf Iraq’s quiet may be misleading; Israel-Hezbollah tensions increase; Russia depends more on Iran than the reverse; Raisi visits Africa. By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti
Pentagon aims to use Marines to defend commercial tankers from Iran Iran’s retaliation for US seizures of sanctioned oil shipments has drawn the military back into the Persian Gulf, but will the Biden administration authorize it to engage? Iran
Iran president Raisi invites UAE's MBZ to visit Tehran The invite was extended on the same day that Iran conducted a naval drill on Abu Musa Island, which is disputed with the UAE. United Arab Emirates
11 Baluchi men executed in Iran as morality police returns to streets The executions are seen as a way to intimidate the public, while the morality police resumed its work to enforce Iran’s strict Islamic dress code. Iran
Iran's IRGC holds military drills at disputed UAE islands Iran held war games as a top oil official said the Islamic Republic will not give up “one iota” of its rights to the disputed Durra gas field in a potential sign of tension with Arab Gulf states. Iran
