Iraq deepens Iran ties days after US investment push The Iraqi premier visited Tehran shortly after his trip to Washington for talks focusing on economic cooperation and plans to develop a cross-border railway network. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Houthis claim attack on two Saudi tankers Iran vows to continue regional strikes; US, Saudi Arabia sign nuclear power deal; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Israel fears US deal would allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium Israel fears the US-Saudi civilian nuclear deal could pave the way for uranium enrichment not only by the Saudis but also by other countries in the region. Israel
Newsletter: Business & Tech Trump threats, Houthi blockade rattle oil markets Also this week, we look at how a landmark US-Saudi nuclear agreement could reshape the kingdom's civilian nuclear ambitions while raising fresh concerns over proliferation in the Middle East. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump threatens Iran bridges, power plants over Hormuz attacks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Interview PJAK leader mocks Iran’s claim Turkey spiked US Kurdish-backed regime-change plan Siamand Moeini PJAK Executive Council Member
Caspian Sea convention moves Iran closer to northern neighbors While the signing of the landmark legal convention on the Caspian Sea has exposed the Rouhani administration to criticism at home, the accord provides Iran with important advantages while leaving the door open for further talks on boundaries. Iran
Apparent death threat against Rouhani triggers fierce backlash A placard seen at a recent gathering at a top seminary in Iran draws a fierce backlash, as it is being interpreted as a death threat against President Hassan Rouhani. Iran
Russia-led regional payment network could blunt US sanctions on Iran Russia is reportedly expanding on previous talks with Iran to create a regional integrated payment network. Russia
Iran-Iraq War continues to claim lives 30 years on The eight-year war between Iraq and Iran ended on Aug. 20, 1988, but its negative impacts linger on both sides. Iraq
Iranians ask government officials: #Where_is_your_kid? Public calls for Iranian officials to account for the lifestyles of their children bring focus to the issue of the lack of trust in the political establishment. Iran
Iran parliament report reveals 17 dual nationals in government An Iranian parliamentary report revealed that there are 17 dual nationals working in the government. Iran
Kurdish farmers hit by water crisis With neighboring Iran diverting rivers and building dams, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is in the midst of an already severe water crisis that threatens to get even worse, thanks to national and regional governments failing to acknowledge the urgency of the problem. Iraq
Iran-US conflict leaves Abadi in a dilemma By rectifying his statement on supporting US sanctions against Iran, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is balancing between the United States and Iran in Iraq to keep both sides as his supportive allies. Iraq
Iran prosecutor warns ministers: no one is immune in anti-corruption probe Iran’s judiciary and the Rouhani administration appear to be heading for a clash over prosecutors' approach to an effort to tackle corruption. Iran
Sanctions, profiteering put Iranian newspapers in a bind A paper crisis exacerbated by US sanctions is weighing down Iranian daily newspapers, which are resorting to everything from closures to online paywalls. Iran
Reformism weakens as factional interests reign supreme in Iran The lack of broad embrace of former Reformist President Mohammad Khatami’s call for change signifies not just continued conservative refusal to enter "national dialogue," but also the Iranian public’s increasing disregard for the pro-Reform camp. United States
Russian, Turkish officials meet, keep low profile on Idlib ideas Moscow and Ankara seem to share some common goals regarding Syria, but don't necessarily agree on how to reach them. Syria