Analysis How a new Baluch militant coalition raises pressure on Iran-Pakistan border Iran's military standoff with the US may be creating opportunities for Baluch groups to launch operations from the mountainous, sparsely populated frontier region with Pakistan. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Analysis As Iran regime marks 200 days of war, is it also preparing for dissent? Seven months into the war with the US, Iranian authorities staged a pro-government mobilization in Tehran, combining patriotic spectacle with a carefully calibrated demonstration aimed for domestic internal security capacity. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
US sanctions Iranian crypto exchange BitBank over Hormuz payments The US government says the exchange was used to channel payments from an Iranian maritime-insurance scheme to the regime. Iran
China presses Iran, US to reopen Hormuz as disruptions threaten oil supply Conflicts in the region are disrupting two key routes for oil bound for China, with Iranian crude affected by the Strait of Hormuz and Saudi shipments facing growing risks in the Red Sea. Iran
Newsletter: Business & Tech Saudi oil squeeze deepens By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Exclusive Lacking deterrence, Israel’s security establishment opposes attacks on Houthis By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis How far will Iran push Houthis against Saudi Arabia amid raging conflict? By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Newsletter: FutureVerse Middle East confronts AI risks By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Iran Opens First Alcohol Rehab Center The official permit for an alcohol rehabilitation center provides a window on the illegal trade and consumption of alcohol in Iran. Iran
Why Palestinians Should Not Recognize Israel as Jewish State A former Palestinian negotiator argues that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's insistence that Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state is an attempt to discourage agreement. Palestine
Will US, Iran Back Maliki In Iraqi Elections? While the US and Iran both support Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, sectarian violence is nonetheless on the rise. Iraq
Iran Export-Led Growth Strategy Depends on Sanctions Relief The government of President Hassan Rouhani is seeking to boost Iranian exports in order to grow the economy. Iran
Saudi Decision on Security Council Is About Syria Saudi Arabia’s decision to decline a Security Council seat expresses anger in some Sunni Muslim quarters about the Syria war. Saudi Arabia
Netanyahu's European Double Standard Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demands that Europe "be strict, be strong” vis-a-vis Iran and its nuclear project, while his government continues to violate international law in the occupied territories. Palestine
Iran's 'Cable Guys' Provide Service For Contraband Satellites While technically illegal, satellite dishes in Iran are ubiquitous, creating a niche market for the men who install them. Iran
Iranians Look for ChangeIn US Policies Iranians express mixed reactions to developments in US-Iran relations. Iran
Iran’s Zarif on Nuclear Proposal: Secrecy Is Sign of Seriousness Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif dismisses reports about the contents of Iran’s latest nuclear proposal. Iran
Who's Out to Get Turkey’s Spymaster? The pressure on Turkish Intelligence head Hakan Fidan may be a sign of concern over a shift in Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s policies toward Syria and Iran. Israel
Iran’s New Nuclear Proposal Iran offers to freeze its 20% enrichment of uranium but still wants to complete a reactor that could yield plutonium, another potential bomb fuel. Iran
The Roots of Radicalism In Political Islam Sunni and Shiite fundamentalists have both sought to return to their own ideal version of history while rejecting modernity. Turkey