Netanyahu fears being left out as Trump pursues Iran diplomacy Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was not surprised by President Donald Trump’s suspension of Project Freedom and move toward talks with Iran, but analysts say Washington may not be fully weighing Israel's concerns in negotiations with Tehran. Israel
China’s overland trade routes offer Iran wartime economic lifeline: What to know Cargo rail traffic between China and Iran has reportedly surged since the US blockade began in April as Tehran seeks overland trade alternatives to help buy time. Iran
Analysis Why Iran's wartime behavior risks lasting rupture with Gulf states Iran's rhetoric and policies toward Gulf states have sharply escalated, raising questions about whether years of painstaking regional rapprochement can survive mounting distrust and maritime confrontations. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis CIA report on Iran missiles undercuts Netanyahu as war euphoria dissipates The findings cast doubt on Israel’s wartime gains and put pressure on Netanyahu’s campaign strategy ahead of elections. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Hormuz clashes cloud diplomacy as US awaits Iran response By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Iran rallies religious leaders to expel US forces from Iraq While US policy takes its toll on Iran, the regime is seeking to increase pressure on Washington to exit the region, and particularly Iraq, by consolidating anti-American sentiment. Iraq
Looming coronavirus threat adds to Turkey’s economic woes Turkey’s economic recovery is facing fresh threats from the global impact of the coronavirus outbreak, which has already reached the country’s eastern neighbor Iran, coupled with war jitters from Turkey’s deepening military involvement in Syria. Turkey
Coronavirus puts more pressure on Iran’s already strained economy Amid ongoing economic strain due to sanctions, mismanagement and corruption, the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus presents additional challenges. Iran
Tehran cracks down on hoarding as coronavirus panics Iranians As Iran continues to fight the coronavirus outbreak, officials vow strong action against the hoarding of medical supplies. Iran
Syrian Kurds ponder Afrin’s recapture in shadow of Idlib crisis The Syrian Kurds' partial collaboration with Syrian government forces in northwestern Aleppo has so far failed to expand amid whirlwind developments in Idlib. Syria
Repercussions of Iranian radicals running the country Ultraconservatives won the day in Iran’s parliamentary elections, but the saying comes to mind, "Be careful what you wish for." Iran
Intel: Trump administration seeks to extend UN arms embargo on Iran Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Congress today that the United States will appeal to the international community to extend the United Nations arms embargo on Iran that is set to expire in October under the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal. United States
Hook to Al-Monitor: 'Diplomatic malpractice' to let UN arms ban on Iran expire this year Top US diplomat Brian Hook tells Al-Monitor they are "looking at what we can do” to assist the Iranian people during the coronavirus outbreak and he has confidence in the new Swiss humanitarian channel, but "the regime has first responsibility to its own people." United States
Intel: Trump administration eases humanitarian trade restrictions on Iran amid coronavirus fears The Donald Trump administration slightly eased sanctions on Iran today to allow for trade in medical supplies and food as Tehran struggles to respond to the coronavirus outbreak throughout the country. United States
Coronavirus gives kiss of death to Iran’s tourism industry before Nowruz A coronavirus outbreak in Iran is hitting the country’s already battered tourism industry, and the timing couldn’t be worse as many would normally travel for the Persian New Year. Iran
Tehran Friday prayers fall victim to coronavirus Iranian officials have ordered the cancellation of major events and gatherings and closed universities in an attempt to halt the spread of the coronavirus. Iran
Iran accuses enemies of coronavirus scaremongering Tehran is tossing around accusations of fomenting panic over the coronavirus epidemic as the country's biggest holiday approaches. Iran