Analysis Iran’s FM Araghchi in Moscow as biting sanctions drive closer Russia ties The economic agenda of the meetings in Moscow and Tehran reflected a deliberate effort by both governments to signal momentum in a partnership increasingly shaped by isolation from the West. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
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
UAE, Russia host first joint business forum despite Ukraine war sanctions Trade between the two countries is projected to exceed $10 billion in 2025. United Arab Emirates
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 uses first joint SCO field drill to tout drone power, assert post-war resilience By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis As Sharaa heads to Washington, Iran looks to Russia to rebuild Syria ties By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
The Takeaway: Two tracks lead to Tehran: one through Vienna, another through Baghdad Plus: Egypt’s train wrecks; new Nile Dam tensions; Turkey’s trafficking scandal; Iraq’s tribal vote; more! Iran
Taliban, Assad continue to unite Russia, Iran While Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed ways to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal in his visit to Tehran this week, the topics of Syria and Afghanistan also featured prominently on the agenda. Russia
Russia describes latest Iran nuclear talks as 'positive' The talks in Vienna come less than a week after a suspected Israeli attack on an Iranian nuclear facility. Iran
Egypt joins Gulf region’s Combined Maritime Forces led by US Egypt's participation in the task force comes as Russia seeks closer defense ties with Cairo and Sudan. Legacy: Gulf
Russian FM talks Nile dam, defense cooperation in Egypt trip Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also discussed Libya and Syria with Egypt's leaders Egypt
Turkey, US in rare position of unity over Ukraine Russia’s Turkey policy to "drive a wedge between Turkey and its NATO allies" will not likely bear fruit when it comes to Ukraine. Turkey
China looms large in Turkey’s controversial waterway project Turkey is reportedly gearing up to partner with China in the construction of an artificial waterway parallel to the Bosporus, a project with likely implications for Russia and the United States in the Black Sea. Turkey
Who benefits if Erdogan scraps key maritime treaty? A warning by more than 100 retired Turkish admirals against scrapping an 85-year-old maritime treaty restricting foreign military presence in the Black Sea coincides with rising tensions between Russia and Western-backed Ukraine in the region. Turkey
What’s Moscow's game plan for Lebanon? With the worsening of the Lebanese crisis, Russia will have to take a closer look at Lebanese affairs to protect its assets in Syria. Lebanon
Russia, Iran propose alternative maritime routes amid Suez Canal blockage Russia and Iran have called for the need to find alternative maritime shipping routes after a giant vessel was stuck in Egypt’s Suez Canal, blocking maritime traffic for days before it was freed. Egypt
Russia steps up vaccine diplomacy in Maghreb, North Africa Russia expands its area of influence in the Maghreb as Tunisia and Algeria receive batches of the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, raising questions about Moscow's motives. Tunisia
US cooling could help Russia boost ties with Saudi Arabia While Moscow realizes that it cannot replace the US role in the region, it’s hoping a cooling of ties between Washington and Riyadh will help bolster its own influence. Russia / Mideast
