Is US pressure really uniting Iran's rival political camps?

Washington's mounting pressure on Tehran might have been expected to forge unity among Iran's rival political camps. But Iranian hard-liners seem to be seizing the moment by attacking an already weakened Rouhani administration ahead of key polls next year.

United States

Iran to US: Stand by commitments and we’ll talk

If the United States wants to resume talks, Iranian leaders have said, it should stick to the original commitments it made under the nuclear deal.

United States

Why Arabs are pressuring PA to take part in Bahrain summit

Some Arab countries are placing political and financial pressure on the Palestinian Authority to reconsider its rejection of the Bahrain economic workshop, which the United States is holding later this month to kick off its peace plan.

Legacy: Gulf

US investigates claims that Syria used chlorine gas again

Syria is accused of shelling the opposition-controlled ​​Kabana area in northern Latakia with chlorine gas after failing to advance in the area.

Syria

US denies willingness to talk over S-400 concerns with Turkey

A Pentagon spokesman told Al-Monitor that its concerns with Ankara’s purchase of the Russian missile defense system “cannot be mitigated.”

Turkey

After Syria, Pentagon ramps up electronic warfare efforts

A new team at the US Defense Department is addressing the growing Russian threat to American military technology after Moscow's jamming complicated the Syrian battlefield.

Russia

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

New Israeli elections throw wrench in US peace plan

With a new Israeli government unlikely to be formed until late October, as the US 2020 presidential campaign heats up, the Trump administration is increasingly unlikely to present the political component of its peace vision before a second term, analysts and diplomats said.

Israel

Saudi Arabia’s new 'freedom' gas

Saudi Arabia has partnered with a US company to export LNG from Texas, and is looking for more LNG deals.

Saudi Arabia

Pentagon fears China’s growth in Middle East arms market

The Donald Trump administration is worried that China is capturing a larger role in a Middle East arms market that the United States has traditionally dominated.

United States