Trump congratulates Iraq PM-designate Zaidi in call: What to know The US President was openly critical of previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki, seen as too 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 threatens a global economic chill, Trump must choose between military escalation, seeking a partial deal with Iran, or waiting out the pressure campaign. 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
Iran expects US to return to nuclear deal without conditions Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said the era of maximum pressure is over. Iran
Saudis say Biden’s threats are ‘election talk' Although there are political tensions on human rights issues, the US-Saudi relationship could be vital for the United States to address Russian and Chinese influence in the Middle East region. Saudi Arabia
US envoy for Iran says Biden returning to Iran deal not a given Elliott Abrams told reporters that the United States will continue to sanction Iran as long as Donald Trump is president. United States
Iran’s supreme leader ridicules US over election ‘spectacle’ Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has previously said Iran is not concerned about who wins the election. United States
Iran unveils new missile launching system Iran announces a new missile system in what seemed to be yet another message to Western leaders that the Islamic Republic will press ahead with its “non-negotiable” missile program no matter who is US president. United States
Iran calls US 'pirates' for selling seized oil The Justice Department announced Thursday the sale of 1.1 million barrels of Iranian refined petroleum. Iran
Pentagon chief visits Israel, Bahrain with little fanfare The quiet visit came less than a week after the defense secretary said the United States would like to see regional security cooperation with Israel to deter Iran. Bahrain
US sells seized Iranian fuel, seeks forfeiture of missiles The United States has sold and delivered the 1.1 million barrels of Iranian oil seized from four Venezuela-bound vessels in August. United States
Iranian plane sanctioned by US lands in Venezuela It is unclear what the aircraft brought. The United States maintains sanctions on both Iran and Venezuela. Iran
Would Mideast leaders prefer Trump or Biden to deal with Iran? Whoever wins the election, a new Iran deal would require a regional consensus and some tough diplomacy with Putin. United States
Iran desperate to maintain Iraqi financial lifeline Iran seeks to maintain the flow of hard currency from Iraq to help it overcome the US sanctions. Iraq
No more UN embargo on Iran, but no arms sales either Anyone who might seek to sell arms to Iran is likely in a holding pattern to see what happens in the US election and to see what Iran, in dire economic straits, can afford. United States
