China signals bigger Gulf role as UAE crown prince visits Beijing China, which maintains close ties with both Iran and Gulf states, is hosting one of the UAE's top officials this week as a fragile ceasefire in the region holds. China
Hormuz blockade gambit aims to squeeze Iran without expanding war By blockading Iran’s ports and de-mining the Strait of Hormuz, the US Navy aims to deny Tehran leverage in future negotiations, but experts warn it could take months before the economic pressure builds on Islamic Republic. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
As US blockades Hormuz, China urges restraint, rejects call to ditch Iran oil Beijing and Ankara called for calm as the US began its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as regional diplomacy over the fragile ceasefire intensifies. Iran
'No fear': Pope Leo pushes against Trump attacks as he lands in Algeria President Donald Trump has escalated against the first American pontiff over his criticism of the Israel-US war in Iran. Iran
Analysis Inside Turkey’s role in the US-Iran ceasefire By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Ceasefire without relief: How Iranians are grappling with post-war repression By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
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
Breaking | Last Updated: May 15, 2023, 1:44 pm New US sanctions target Iran’s drone supply to Russia The targets include eight senior executives of an Iran-based firm involved in the manufacture of drones used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran
Trilateral Biden-Abdullah-Sudani call reiterated support for Iraq The Iraqi prime minister also discussed Iraq’s economic situation with the president as the dinar continues to slide against the dollar. Jordan's King Abdullah II was also on the call. Iraq
France's seizure of Iranian weapons to Yemen is a win for Pentagon French forces seized some 3,000 assault rifles, 23 anti-tank rockets and more than half a million rounds of ammunition bound for Yemen's Houthi rebels. Iran
Iran rejects latest IAEA report, claims it is 'not up to date' Despite Tehran's outright rejection, the UN watchdog's report on alleged secrecy at a leading Iranian facility has once again highlighted concerns that the Islamic Republic could be inching closer to developing a nuclear bomb. Iran
US CENTCOM pulls closer to Israeli military as Mossad tests Iran Training exercise represents the tightest collaboration ever, but CENTCOM's deputy commander told Al-Monitor the US had no involvement in recent strikes attributed to Israel in Isfahan, Iran and eastern Syria. Israel
Iran summons Ukraine's top diplomat after Isfahan drone strike Iran's summoning relates to a Ukrainian presidential adviser's tweet that implicitly welcomes the suspected Israeli attack over the weekend. Iran
The Takeaway: Can sanctions curb Iran's protest crackdown? Plus, a top Republican lawmaker questions the Biden administration's Syria policy and the US announces support for Lebanon's security forces. Iran
Iran bolsters ties with China and Venezuela despite US sanctions Iranian oil exports to China are on the rise, and the Islamic Republic’s relations with Venezuela are moving beyond energy matters, as the South American country recently received 1,000 vehicles from the Iranian automobile firm Saipa. Iran
US, Israel kick off largest ever military exercise as Iran nuclear talks falter As Iran turns to Russia for advanced fighter jets, the race is on to ensure the United States can actually stop Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon — and to dissuade the new Israeli government from acting unilaterally. Israel
'Bring us home': American held in Iran ends weeklong hunger strike “Don't let President Biden leave us in this abyss of misery,” Siamak Namazi said in a letter penned from prison. Iran
