Analysis Oman talks leave Israel unsure of Trump's endgame as missile threat persists Israel and the United States are tightly coordinated on intelligence, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is apparently in the dark on President Donald Trump's intentions in Iran. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Will EU’s terror listing of besieged Iran's IRGC backfire? The EU designation could ultimately render the IRGC an even more aggressive and defiant organization aboard, and a more assertive rights violator at home. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
European Union adds IRGC to terror list, expands sanctions As the extent of the killing of protests is gradually revealed, the European Union has decided to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. Iran
US designates Muslim Brotherhood chapters as terrorist organizations: What to know The designations of the Brotherhood's branches in Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan follow President Donald Trump's executive order in November targeting the pan-Islamist movement. United States
Analysis Venezuelan crisis unlikely to impact MENA crude exporters in short term By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Turkey makes case to Congress to drop S-400 sanctions Turkey is making a final pitch to Congress to prevent US sanctions for purchasing a Russian air defense system, according to documents reviewed by Al-Monitor. Turkey
Tehran renews warning that it may soon bid farewell to nuclear deal Amid continued frustration with the European signatories to the nuclear deal, Iran is sending fresh signals about its potential departure from the pact, while indicating that diplomacy remains a viable option. United States
Tehran says fresh US sanctions block path to diplomacy The US administration's latest sanctions targeting several Iranian officials, including the country's supreme leader, have drawn the ire of the government in Tehran. United States
Iran shrugs off new sanctions Iranian officials said they will continue to reduce their nuclear commitments under the JCPOA. United States
US sanctions fail to bend Iran’s economy, expert says Al-Monitor contributor Bijan Khajehpour said at an Al-Monitor event in Washington today that the Donald Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign has not succeeded in crippling the country's economy. United States
Iran-backed militias struggle to resist US pressure Feeling the burden of US sanctions on Iran, the Popular Mobilization Units are flexing their muscles in Iraq, trying to strengthen their position. Iraq
Trump leaves Congress in dark on Mideast deployment to counter Iran The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee says Congress has yet to hear back from the Donald Trump administration on how long a fresh rotation of troops, ships and planes sent to counter Iran will remain in the Middle East. Congress
Iran sticks to 'Look to the East' doctrine amid frustration with Europe As Europeans continue to let it down, Iran is increasingly focused on its "Look to the East" doctrine, grabbing every chance to boost trade with China, India and Japan. Iran
Iran plays Pakistan, China against India as Modi turns to Trump India’s apparent decision to go along with the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran could negatively impact its relationship with Tehran, including in regard to the Chabahar port project. United States
Trump, Pompeo give new priority to diplomacy with Iran While many see a shift in tone rather than substance, the diplomatic channel seems to be heating up. United States
Is US pressure really uniting Iran's rival political camps? Washington's mounting pressure on Tehran might have been expected to forge unity among Iran's rival political camps. But Iranian hard-liners seem to be seizing the moment by attacking an already weakened Rouhani administration ahead of key polls next year. United States
Iran to US: Stand by commitments and we’ll talk If the United States wants to resume talks, Iranian leaders have said, it should stick to the original commitments it made under the nuclear deal. United States
