US hits major Russian bank VTB with Iran-linked sanctions State-controlled VTB becomes one of the most prominent global names yet caught up in Washington’s ongoing effort to squeeze Iran's economy. Iran
Third Sunni cleric killed in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchistan Province: What to know Iran says it is stepping up its crackdown on armed groups in the impoverished province as Sunni clerics have been reported killed there and in the predominantly Kurdish northwest. Iran
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 By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
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
Audio tapes reveal how Ehud Barak attempted to rewrite history with Iran Associates of former Prime Minister Ehud Barak leaked tapes indicating that Barak supported an attack on Iran in 2012, but other sources suggest that he then changed his mind and was the person who actually blocked an eventual strike. Israel
Security Council: Syria 'largest humanitarian crisis in the world' UN, Russia and Iran coordinate new diplomatic effort on Syria; what did Zarif tell Nasrallah?; Egyptian government rejects mediation with Muslim Brotherhood; did US-trained force coordinate with Jabhat al-Nusra? Qatar
Hamas caught between Tehran and Riyadh Hamas is trying to rebuild its relationship with Iran, but mistrust on both sides is impeding the process. Saudi Arabia
Hard-liners rage against Rafsanjani as elections near Ayatollah Rafsanjani's announcement that he intends to run in the upcoming Assembly of Experts elections prompts hard-liners to launch a wave of attacks. Iran
Will US sanctions disrupt Iran-Russia economic ties? Washington’s concerns about Russian actions, including its relations with Iran, and Moscow’s diminishing interest in accommodating them seem set to heighten competition and tensions in the Middle East. Russia
IRGC head warns Rouhani President Hassan Rouhani drew the ire of the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for criticizing the Guardian Council's role in approving candidates for the elections. Iran
Netanyahu playing chess, not checkers on Iran deal Behind closed doors, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concedes that he can't muster the required congressional majority to override a presidential veto on the Iranian nuclear deal and is therefore aiming for a "resounding moral majority." Israel
Even without sanctions, Iranian aviation faces turbulent future Iranian aviation is faced with multiple challenges, even in the aftermath of long-sought sanctions relief. Iran
Iran to export gas to Iraq soon, says Iranian official After the nuclear deal, Iran will need to deepen economic ties with Iraq, including the Kurdish Regional Government. Iraq
Iran to Russia: Where are those missiles you promised us? Following Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s trip to Moscow, Iranian media has been abuzz with talk about the long-awaited delivery of a long-rang S-300 missile defense system, which is still being held up by Russia. Russia
Turkish, Iranian media trade barbs Analysts say angry reports and comments in the pro-government media of both sides reflect official thinking, but expect the legacy of maintaining relatively good ties between the two countries to prevail. Yemen
Israel must wake up and 'recognize reality' of Iran deal The crisis in Israeli-US ties following the Iranian nuclear agreement demands a fundamental shift in Israeli policy, including Israeli recognition of the deal and an immediate change in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s relationship with the White House. Israel