Abdul Mahdi pressured into staying in office

Political parties behind Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi pressure him to not resign.

Iraq

Iran faces challenges in privatization plans

For privatization to succeed in Iran, the government must empower the real private sector as opposed to semi-state entities.

Iran

Iran urges Turkey to show restraint as Ankara launches Syria operation

Closely monitoring the tense Turkey-Syria border situation as Ankara launches an incursion, Iran has called on Turkey to resort to dialogue and abort its military offensive there.

Syria

‘The only game in town’: Progress seen in French initiative for US-Iran talks

A French initiative to de-escalate US-Iran tensions has developed a framework for broader talks to resolve regional tensions.

United States

Chinese energy giant bids farewell to $5 billion Iran project

In what could be seen as yet another blow to Iran's sanctions-hit economy, China's state oil company has withdrawn from a major multibillion-dollar deal in the country's south.

United States

Iraqi government seems powerless against protesters even as 'unknown' snipers take toll

For the seventh day in a row, protesters challenge the Iraqi government across Baghdad and the south; the death toll rises to nearly 120 as unidentified snipers pick off demonstrators.

Iraq

Netanyahu’s strategic failures on Iran, Trump

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had gambled on US President Donald Trump to spearhead the struggle against the "Iranian threat," in what now emerges to be a colossal strategic failure.

Saudi Arabia

Iranian officials growing concerned about Iraqi protests

Iranian officials have become concerned over the growing protests taking place in neighboring Iraq.

Iraq

Cleric rising to lead Iran’s new wave of hard-liners

As a new generation of right-wing conservatives emerges in Iran, well-known cleric Alireza Panahian is upping his game as a vocal critic of Reformists and moderates.

Iran

Have Iran, US slammed door on nuclear negotiations?

Iran and the United States both have upcoming elections and other urgent domestic issues to focus on, and neither seems interested in cooperating on nuclear talks.

United States

Iraqi youth to government: We’re not going to take it

As young Iraqis vent against their government, Iran is already positioning itself for the fallout, as its proxies hit the streets.

Iraq

Iraq protests continue despite calls for calm

Protests continue in Iraq for the fourth day in a row despite the prime minister's and other figures' efforts to calm the streets.

Iraq