Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran steps up Gulf attacks after 10 nights of US strikes Lebanese military deploys in south; Turkey's role in thwarting Kurdish offensive; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
US launches fresh strikes on Iran, reinforces air assets in region: What to know After weathering five months of airstrikes, the IRGC's strategy to deny the US Air Force safe harbor at runways across the region still shows lethal progress. Iran
Explainer Iran's economy faces renewed pressure as ceasefire collapses Tehran briefly regained billions in oil revenue under June's truce, raising questions about how long the Islamic Republic can withstand a fresh economic siege. Iran
Iran's Araghchi reveals Turkey's role in thwarting Kurdish offensive The account offers Tehran's first public confirmation of reports that Ankara intervened to stop armed Iranian Kurdish groups from entering the conflict. Iran
Analysis How Hormuz crisis is turning Fujairah into the UAE’s strategic lifeline By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Why Iran's Kurdish front is becoming a growing wartime concern By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Netanyahu gambles on Trump against Iran Israel supports the American intention of increasing sanctions against Iran, though pushing Iran against the wall could fire up the Hezbollah front against Israel in Syria. Palestine
Tehran’s biggest annual cultural event held amid ‘paper crisis’ The biggest annual cultural event in the Iranian capital kicks off amid a paper crisis and a controversy over rentierism tarnishing the publishing industry. Iran
Iranian media hail Tehran-Islamabad joint 'rapid reaction force' During a visit by Pakistan's prime minister to Iran, the two countries moved closer toward forming a joint rapid reaction force to combat border insecurity, a plan welcomed by Iranian media as a key achievement in bilateral ties. Iran
US cuts Iran oil waivers in move to force Tehran out of nuclear deal Washington is letting sanctions waivers for countries that import Iranian oil expire as it tries to make Iran quit the 2015 nuclear deal before a UN arms embargo is lifted next year as part of the agreement. United States
IRGC commander leaves sooner than expected Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has promoted Hossein Salami to serve as commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. United States
How incompetence, sanctions jointly hit Iran’s economy Facing stagflation, the Iranian authorities must shift course and de-politicize economic decisions such as foreign exchange policy and management of the country's money supply. Iran
Iraq's Qaim border open to nonlocal PMU fighting in Syria Iraqi Shiite Popular Mobilization Units fighting in Syria cross the western Iraqi border with ease. Iraq
Did female Iranian boxer fight for championship or asylum in France? Boxer Sadaf Khadem made history as the first Iranian woman to win an international match, but her choice to compete without hijab may prevent her from going back home. Iran
Syrian Kurds fear US sellout to Turkey on ‘safe zone’ Zarif meets Assad and Erdogan; is Erdogan banking on Trump to avoid S-400 sanctions? Syria
Iran moves to facilitate Turkey-Syria understanding ahead of Astana summit The Iranian foreign minister’s recent trips to Damascus and Ankara suggest that Tehran is stepping up its efforts to facilitate and accelerate the political process to end the Syrian crisis. Syria
Russia and Arabs agree on US, spar over Iran The Moscow-hosted fifth ministerial meeting between Russia and the Arab League exposed some disagreements but helped bring Russia and the Arabs closer on other issues. Legacy: Gulf
Iran sets up trade vehicle with Turkey as Saudi, UAE send flood aid Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said relations with Turkey are the best they’ve been in decades, while Rouhani struck a conciliatory tone amid Saudi and Emirati flood aid. Saudi Arabia