Kurdish rebels move to gain US support for operations against Iran

Buoyed by an apparent resurgence in interest in Kurdish rebel groups in Washington, Iranian Kurdish rebel leaders appear to be maneuvering to gain support from the United States as Washington moves to confront the Islamic Republic.

United States

Iran scores PR win in intelligence wars with Israel

Israeli security sources admit that Iranian intelligence scored a point by recruiting former Minister Gonen Segev to spy against his country, but downplay his access to any sensitive information.

Israel

Legendary Iranian soccer player urges consumer boycott to root out ‘thieves’

As consumer prices continue to hit ordinary Iranians hard, a popular former soccer player is leading a consumer boycott on social media in an effort to reduce prices.

Iran

Iran denies supporting Qandil operation, fueling Turkish resentment

Pro-government analysts say Iran is trying to prevent Turkish influence in Iraq, and they accuse Tehran of “strategic shallowness,” which they say it will come to regret.

Iraq

Iran may become third wheel in Saudi-Russian relationship

Saudi Arabia and Russia have been overlooking their differences, focusing instead on their mutual energy interests, but it might prove hard to ignore the elephant in the room indefinitely.

Saudi Arabia

Is the GCC dead?

The Gulf Cooperation Council is broken and may not be fixable.

Legacy: Gulf

Iran's ex-military chief accused of squatting in former shah mansion

The former chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces has been accused of living rent-free for 25 years in a mansion belonging to the shah’s regime.

Iran

Is Rouhani all talk, no action on hints at Cabinet shake-up?

Both President Hassan Rouhani and First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri have publicly slammed underperforming government ministers, but few believe it will lead to a Cabinet shake-up.

Iran

Israel's three-way deal on Iran in Syria and Russia in the G-7

Israel’s political and security echelons are intently nurturing ties and coordinating with Russia to oust Iran from Syria.

Israel

Iran coy on support for Turkish assault on PKK in Iraq

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s offensive appears linked to Turkish elections and Iraqi politics; Is Turkey staying or going in northern Syria? Putin and Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri discuss Syrian refugees.

Iraq

Why Iran won’t leave Syria just yet

While Iran and Russia certainly have points of divergence in Syria, their bottom lines will likely continue to intersect, compelling Moscow to manage tension between Iran and Israel.

Syria

Turkey takes on Kurds in evolving Qandil operation

Although Ankara seems determined to reach the PKK stronghold of Qandil in Iraq, it faces many obstacles to sustaining such an operation against Kurdish militants in the punishing mountain region.

Iraq