Iranian academics clash on how to deal with Trump

While Iranian academic elites broadly condemn the Trump administration’s approach toward the nuclear deal, they differ on how Tehran should respond to Washington’s measures.

Iran

Iran: Trump requested Rouhani meeting in New York

Iranian media and the Foreign Ministry claim that US President Donald Trump requested a meeting with President Hassan Rouhani.

United States

Putin resets Iraqi energy landscape as Barzani steps aside

Russian moves maximize leverage as US stumbles on Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units; Massoud Barzani resigns as Kurdistan Region president; Syria and Russia take initiative with regard to local governance in Syria.

Iraq

Historic Boeing-IranAir deal at risk amid claims of IRGC use

Charges that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps may use Boeing jets in its operations put the US aircraft maker’s landmark deal with IranAir at risk.

United States

Hamas' futile pursuit of a middle ground

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh called Jordanian King Abdullah II to try to engage him in efforts to achieve Palestinian unity while his deputy appears to have secured the support of Iran for the movement.

Palestine

Syrian Kurds focused on federalism

The Iraqi Kurdistan independence referendum continues to make waves in Syria as the country's Kurds believe they can negotiate with the Syrian government to establish a federal state.

Iraq

Congress moves flurry of bills to counter Iran

Despite the partisan divide over the nuclear deal, there is overwhelming bipartisan consensus in Congress to apply more sanctions on Tehran and its proxies.

Congress

Iran's media unconcerned with Iraq-Saudi Arabia rapprochement

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s recent trips to Saudi Arabia appear to have been coordinated to reduce Iran’s influence in Iraq, but Iranian media outlets do not seem concerned by the apparent Iraqi-Saudi Arabia rapprochement.

Saudi Arabia

Iranian banks slowly reconnect to the world

While Iran works to gradually reconnect its banking system to the world, major hurdles remain, even as companies find creative solutions.

Iran

Hamas backtracks on charter changes

Bellicose statements by some Hamas leaders appear to suggest the organizations' new leadership is tossing aside recent changes to its charter.

Palestine

Trump undermines Iranian debate on economic role of IRGC

Rather than isolating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Trump administration’s targeting of the organization in effect stymies ongoing attempts to curtail its role within the Iranian economy.

Iran

Kurdish crisis could benefit Iran-Turkey-Russia energy deal

As markets react to Iraq's reclamation of Kirkuk oil fields, other countries stand ready to take advantage of opportunities being created for energy producers.

Iraq