Damascus puts on elections while Russia is busy with geopolitics

While Moscow has been busy with the situation in Idlib, Damascus has held municipal elections, where its candidates won.

Syria

Mandatory hijab hunger strike enters 50th day

An Iranian activist, Farhad Meysami, under arrest in Evin Prison for openly opposing mandatory veiling, has been on a hunger strike for 50 days.

Iran

Iranians lash out at preferential treatment of pilgrims

While many Iranians have criticized the authorities’ decision to allow visa fees for the Arbaeen pilgrimage to be paid at the secondary foreign currency market rate, the move could, in reality, be filling the administration’s coffers.

Iraq

Iran's rich, influential religious singers eclipse clerics

As Iran's traditional eulogists grow in fame and influence, they have drawn criticism from the clerics who used to have the main voices in religious ceremonies.

Iran

Trump’s Iran envoy blasts Tehran missile work, downplays prospects for NY meeting

Brian Hook, the US special envoy on Iran, said any new agreement with Iran would have to curb Iran’s transfer of ballistic missile technology.

United States

Iranian singer's 'sickening' anti-Islam post embarrasses hard-liners

An Iranian singer supported by the country's hard-liners has become a source of embarrassment after he greatly offended Shiite Islam in a social media post.

Iran

Iran pursues opposition by bombing Iraqi Kurdistan

Tehran is expanding its influence in Iraq, taking a tougher stance against its exiled Kurdish opposition in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Iraq

Iran-India logistical cooperation set to jump amid scaled-back energy ties

India is well-versed in the game of balancing ties with Iran and the United States and is set to use the current situation over sanctions to promote logistical cooperation with Tehran while limiting oil imports from Iran.

United States

What rial devaluation means for Iranian government

While the devaluation of the rial has had a negative impact on Iranian society, it has the potential to help key economic players — including the government and the Central Bank — to gain a new and sustainable balance in their finances.

Iran

Backlash in Iran as some wartime veterans circumvent new retirement law

A number of Iran's senior public sector workers are reportedly taking advantage of a new law that exempts highly disabled veterans from mandatory retirement.

Iran

PMU steps up role in Iraq's security after Basra rioting

Following violent protests in Basra in which PMU offices were set on fire, the PMU now plans to carry out security tasks in southern Iraq, which will expand its influence there.

Iraq

Iran 1, US 0: Iraq chooses a parliament speaker

After a long delay, the Iraqi parliament has finally elected its speaker and in doing so confirmed the rising influence of Iran.

Iraq