Pro-Iran events fizzle as Iraqis steer clear of regional drama

Iraqis are making it clear that they want no part in the regional conflict surrounding Iran while their leaders offer mediation to avoid war.

Iraq

Iraq’s oil sector caught in crossfire between US, Iran

US-Iran tensions have hit Iraq's oil industry, with ExxonMobil announcing an evacuation of its staff in Iraq to Dubai.

Iraq

Why Khamenei’s 'no' on talks with US could lead to 'yes'

Expect chatter of Iran-US dialog to pick up in the coming weeks, even though Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says he adamantly refuses to negotiate with the Trump administration.

Saudi Arabia

Iranian MPs move to grant citizenship to children of foreign fathers

Iranian lawmakers passed a bill that would grant citizenship to children in Iran born to Iranian mothers and foreign fathers. If approved by the Guardian Council, the bill would put an end to years of discrimination against women in the country’s nationality law.

Iran

Khamenei: US views talks as ‘tactic’ in pressure strategy

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rejected calls to renegotiate the nuclear deal with the United States despite the campaign of pressure and sanctions.

Iran

Intel: Why Russia dispatched top diplomat to Tehran

Russia dispatched one of its leading diplomats to Tehran this week to urge the Iranians to back off their threat to resume nuclear activities in retaliation for the US “maximum pressure” campaign.

Russia

Iranians shocked as former Tehran mayor confesses to killing wife

Iranians are in a state of disbelief after a former senior Reformist politician and mayor of Tehran confessed to killing his wife in one of the most high-profile criminal cases in the country’s recent history.

Iran

Why Iran needs China to act on far more than oil imports

China may be defying US sanctions by likely resuming limited oil imports from Iran, but even that is a largely symbolic move unless Beijing also steps up non-oil trade with Tehran.

Iran

Egypt boosts ties with Gulf countries amid Iranian threats

Egypt has expressed concerns over the growing Iranian threats in the region, fearing it might affect navigation in the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.

Saudi Arabia

After decades, Iran, Iraq ready to dredge the Shatt al-Arab

Iran and Iraq hope to revive the Shatt al-Arab as a source of clean water as well as a generator of increased commerce and tourism.

Iraq

US 'maximum pressure' changing Iranian attitudes toward nuclear program

Amid rising anti-Americanism in Iran, attitudes are hardening, even among moderate elites, with some now espousing the use of the nuclear program as a deterrent.

United States

Skeptics wary as Trump appears to ease off Iran

The tense rhetoric between Tehran and Washington appears to be settling down after US President Donald Trump asserted that he is not pursuing regime change, but his latest remarks were received with skepticism in Iran.

Iran