Trump congratulates Iraq PM-designate Zaidi in call: What to know President Donald Trump was openly critical of previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki, who was seen as close to Iran, but is now welcoming the new candidate put forward by Iraq’s leading Shiite bloc. Iraq
Trump faces three paths ahead in Iran war as Hormuz standoff intensifies As the Hormuz standoff intensifies, Trump must choose between military escalation, a limited diplomatic deal, or continuing a pressure campaign against Iran. Iran
In defiant message, Iran’s Khamenei threatens US but appeals to Gulf The address was Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s third since coming to power and included a pledge to rid the Gulf of the US. Iran
Trump speaks with Netanyahu, Putin as Iran pressure campaign escalates President Donald Trump spoke by phone separately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing the situation in Iran and the possibility of extending the ceasefire. United States
Analysis How long can Iran's economy withstand Trump's naval blockade? By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Twitter suspends account linked to Iran's supreme leader following threat against Trump The social media giant also suspended an account from an Iran-backed Iraqi militia commander; these actions follow the suspension of Donald Trump's Twitter account earlier this month when he was still president. Iran
Intel: House Democrats call on Biden to reform Middle East war powers California Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee and House committee leaders wasted no time calling on the new president to rein in two-decade-old legislation on the authorization of military force. United States
Biden team picks Dana Stroul to lead Pentagon's Middle East desk Stroul, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, will join a roster of Obama-era veterans when she returns to the Pentagon. Syria
Iran holds another military drill in the Gulf of Oman Tuesday's ground forces exercise followed naval and drone drills last week, as tensions with the United States continue. Iran
Iran’s shows off ballistic missiles, drones in drill amid US tensions The military exercise in Iran's central desert comes as the Trump administration makes a final push to punish Tehran. Iran
Rouhani compares Trump to Shah of Iran President Hassan Rouhani said in a recent speech that despite all the pressure, US policy toward Iran has failed. United States
US labels deputy head of Iraq’s PMU a terrorist The United States accused Abu Fadak of involvement in kidnappings and of attempting to align Iraq's security institution's with Iran's foreign policy. Iraq
Iran kicks off naval missile drills in Gulf of Oman, to renew patrols in Red Sea Iran's Navy will resume patrols in the Red Sea, the Chief of Staff of the armed forces said United States
Pompeo, Israel send message to Iran with bold airstrikes in Syria In a rare acknowledgement, a US official said Washington provided intelligence support for the strikes. Israel
Iran’s Rouhani expects economic relief after Trump departure Iran’s president assured his nation of economic relief “in the months to come” following the “overthrow” of his outgoing US counterpart, Donald Trump. Iran
Iran officials defend ban on US, UK COVID vaccines Iranian officials have said they will begin vaccinating their population in the spring and do not have confidence in Western vaccines. Iran
Iran president: US Capitol storming shows Western democracy 'fragile' President Hassan Rouhani also said that “those who in two weeks will have power in the White House must return America, which is a great nation, to its rightful place.” Iran
