Even as ceasefire frays, Trump and Iran shy away from full war The United States and Iran are escalating their tit-for-tat strikes, posing the biggest threat yet to their framework deal. Iran
Why US strikes on Iran rail bridge signal shift in Hormuz conflict A US missile strike on the railway bridge linking Iran to Central and East Asia suggests the White House is once again flirting with politically coercive tactics after the June agreement failed to halt Iran's attacks on Hormuz shipping. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran hits Gulf, warns Hormuz will reopen on its terms Lebanese president meets US envoy; Russia eyes Tartous logistics hub in Syria; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
US strikes strategic railway bridge linking Iran to China: What to know The railway bridge also links Tehran and other southern cities to Mashhad, where large crowds are gathering for the burial ceremony on Thursday of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran
Analysis As Trump declares deal 'over,' IRGC takes lead in shaping Iran's response By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Feature Armenia's Pashinyan keeps Iran close while wooing Trump, Turkey and Azerbaijan By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says Iran deal is ‘over’ By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
OPEC+ likely to maintain oil output at meeting, in gesture to US While the OPEC+ group is expected to maintain oil production at its virtual meeting set for Feb. 1, global demand for oil is estimated to reach a record high in 2023. Legacy: Gulf
Turkey rises, Russia fades as Iran and Azerbaijan clash over Armenia Conflict is looming once again between Armenia and Azerbaijan as regional powers maneuver in the Caucasus. Turkey
Iran arrests 4 Sunni clerics, bans filmmaker from travel Sunni clerics criticizing the Islamic Republic's heavy-handed response to protests were the latest to be placed in the crosshairs of the Iranian authorities, who are scrambling to crush the months-long unrest. Iran
Despite US-Israel proximity on Iran, Netanyahu not off hook on Palestinians In his meeting with the US secretary of state, Prime Minister Netanyahu wanted to focus on Iran, but was faced with American criticism on judicial overhaul and the Palestinians. Israel
Middle East corruption rankings: Syria most corrupt, UAE least, Turkey slipped Corruption remains rampant across the Middle East and North Africa, Transparency International reports, with the region’s average score in combating corruption hitting a new low of 38. Turkey
Iran summons Ukraine's top diplomat after Isfahan drone strike Iran's summoning relates to a Ukrainian presidential adviser's tweet that implicitly welcomes the suspected Israeli attack over the weekend. Iran
Strikes near Iraqi border mark widening regional battle against Iran Strikes widely attributed to Israel have hit an Iranian convoy near the Iraqi border after it crossed out of the country. Iran
Iran, Russia sign bank messaging agreement to override SWIFT Both countries are banned from the SWIFT financial messaging system due to US and European sanctions. Iran
Deadly shooting at Azerbaijan's embassy in Iran kills 1 The Azerbaijani government blamed “anti-Azerbaijan sentiment in Iran” for the shooting at its embassy and is evacuating its staff, but Iranian police said the incident was due to a family dispute. Iran
Iran accuses France of 'meddling' as ties strain over unrest In a tense exchange, Iran's top diplomat has accused Paris of being intentionally confrontational while his French counterpart piled pressure on Iran over the detention of French nationals. Iran
The Takeaway: Can sanctions curb Iran's protest crackdown? Plus, a top Republican lawmaker questions the Biden administration's Syria policy and the US announces support for Lebanon's security forces. Iran
2 police officers gunned down in Iran's protest-hit southeast The attack occurred in an area that has seen the worst of the violence from Iranian security forces determined to crush the anti-government protests that have rocked the nation over the past four months. Iran
