Analysis Saudi pipeline shutdown exposes shrinking global oil-supply buffers Oil prices have climbed to their highest since May as disruptions to flows through the Strait of Hormuz and the temporary shutdown of Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline tighten global supply. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Oil tops $109 after Houthi strikes, Saudi pipeline shutdown The Houthi militia said on Monday that it fired dozens of drones and ballistic missiles at military targets in Saudi Arabia in retaliation for airstrikes by Riyadh in Yemen. Iran
Analysis As Houthis seize Bab el-Mandeb, Iran appraises value of new Red Sea card Iran is celebrating the Houthis' rapid advance toward Bab el-Mandeb, but appears reluctant to act on the win. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Claude AI used for missile, influence projects in UAE, Iran, Yemen: Anthropic Military and government actors across the Middle East — from Iran to Yemen to the United Arab Emirates — have used Anthropic's Claude AI model for war planning and influence campaigns. Yemen
Analysis Could Iran’s nuclear ambitions harden as war escalates? By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Analysis Iran’s Pickaxe mountain tests limits of Trump’s military options By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Khamenei says Iran must go green Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a list of policy directives regarding the environment. Iran
Will Rouhani and Zarif defy Khamenei by holding direct talks with US on Syria? Despite Ayatollah Khamenei's public prohibition of dialogue with the United States on regional issues, it appears that Iran and the United States are bound to engage on Syria. Syria
Why is Rouhani backing off from those profiting from sanctions? Is Rouhani's softer tone against those who've benefited from the sanctions on Iran a tactic to win them over — or is he just giving up? Iran
After Paris, Iran spy chief warns Tehran could be next Iranian officials have warned about the possibility of an attack by the Islamic State. Syria
Is it time for Israel to revisit its relationship with Sunni bloc? With Iran fighting against IS forces, and in view of IS’ latest terrorism attacks in Egypt, Lebanon and France, the Israeli security establishment is questioning its regional security doctrine. Saudi Arabia
How to defeat the Islamic State To defeat the Islamic State, the world powers need a clear-cut, unified strategy to guide the war on terrorism. Legacy: Gulf
Iran shifts approach to fight against alcohol Faced with increasing rates of alcohol consumption, the Iranian authorities are beginning to treat the issue as a public health rather than religious concern. Iran
Iran doubts US goals in Syria talks Iran's deputy foreign minister for Arab and African affairs, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said Iran will decide whether to participate in the next round of Vienna II talks on Syria after reviewing whether the United States is working behind the scenes to push its own agenda. Saudi Arabia
Has Syria been a military success for Iran? Iran was willing to negotiate its nuclear situation with world powers, but it wants everyone to know it is far from ready to abandon its strategic interests in the region. Syria
'Under 50' Iranians killed in Syria An Iranian security official has addressed several hot-button topics in the media, including the implementation of the nuclear deal and the rising Iranian death toll in Syria. Saudi Arabia
Infighting overshadows Iran press exhibition Boycotts and accusations against media close to the administration have overshadowed Iran's 21st Press Exhibition. Iran
Why Iran and Russia aren't as closely aligned on Syria as you might think Despite the shared short-term goals that have currently united them on Syria, Iran and Russia's differences over Syria's future are bound to lead them into conflict. Syria