Analysis How UK's IRGC designation raises stakes for Iran and Europe Following Britain's designation, Iran has presented a unified front in which all institutions are projecting the IRGC as an integral component of national sovereignty. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Bahrain sentences 3 to life in prison over ties to Iran's IRGC: What to know The sentencing comes as Bahrain continues to crack down on individuals allegedly spying for Iran, at a time when the IRGC has resumed its strikes against US assets in the Gulf. Bahrain
Trump hosts Iraqi PM Zaidi as Iran war intensifies President Donald Trump emphasized Iraq’s “tremendous oil reserves” and possible deals with US companies. Iraq
Trump retreats from Hormuz 20% fee plan in pivot to Gulf investment deals The shift comes barely 24 hours after Trump declared the United States would become the "guardian" of the strategic waterway and seek compensation for protecting all cargo passing through it. Iran
Analysis As Trump prioritizes Hormuz, Israel fears Iran rebuilding nuclear program while preserving ballistic missile threat By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis 'The word belongs to the battlefield': Why Iran, US are drifting back to conflict By Ali Hashem In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran strikes tankers, US bases as Gulf conflict escalates By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
As Israel’s anti-Iran strategy shifts into higher gear, worries of fresh conflict grow Israel's escalated campaign to contain Iran and its Hezbollah allies has provoked fear that a new conflict may erupt among neighbors. Iraq
What is Iran's message in Sadr meeting with Khamenei? Iran presents Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's appearance with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a victory against the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia. Iraq
Netanyahu tries to bring 'Iran threat' home to Russia In the last four years Sochi has become a key Russian decision-making center on issues related to the Middle East; Netanyahu has now come there to have a say. Israel
Zarif's 12-nation tour highlights an active Iranian diplomacy Despite the US sanctions imposed on him, Iran's foreign minister was not hindered in his whirlwind diplomatic tour of Europe and Asia. Kuwait
Iran in no hurry to allow women into stadiums after 'Blue Girl' death The suicide of an Iranian soccer fan has reignited the issue of allowing women into Iran's stadiums, but the administration is unlikely to work toward a solution anytime soon. Iran
Regional, international actors risk making matters worse in Iraq's Sinjar The conflict over controlling the strategic area of Sinjar along Iraq's borders with Turkey and Syria has made the Yazidis' situation worse. Iraq
Iran celebrates Bolton ouster The departure of John Bolton, the US administration's most relentless Iran hawk, at a time of heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington was good news across the political spectrum in Iran. United States
What is Muqtada al-Sadr doing in Iran? In a surprising appearance, Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, known for his criticism of Iran's regional policies, sat next to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iran's Quds commander Qasem Soleimani at a religious assembly. Iraq
Personal cost of journalism, political activism in Iran remains high Iran’s judiciary appears to be tightening the noose on media and political activists under its new chief justice in what some analysts believe is a byproduct of growing international pressure. Iran
Pompeo, Mnuchin say no preconditions for Iran meeting as Trump ousts Bolton After President Donald Trump announced that he had fired his national security adviser John Bolton over very strong policy disagreements, Trump’s top diplomat and treasury chief reiterated that Trump has no preconditions to meet with Iran. United States
Iran, Hamas seek benefits of mutual military support As the United States becomes more involved in the Middle East, its actions are driving Hamas and Tehran closer. Palestine