Saudi Arabia’s KBS, top Turkish and Pakistani officials hold rare meeting in Iran: What to know In first such gathering, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman will join Pakistani army chief Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin for talks with Iranian officials amid fears of renewed US and Israeli attacks against Iran. Iran
Analysis Putin puts Trump ahead of Iran in bid to mediate war Anton Mardosov, reporting from Moscow, and our correspondent in Tehran assess the limits of Russian influence in Iran; Ben Caspit reports that Netanyahu could force a unity government with an attack on Iran after the elections. By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti
Analysis From Hormuz to data centers: How Iran’s threats are raising stakes of renewed war As the prospect of renewed conflict looms, Tehran is escalating warnings that another war would impose prohibitive costs on Washington, its allies and global markets. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis How Netanyahu could attack Iran to force Israel into unity government after elections While a strike against Iran before the Oct. 27 elections appears unlikely, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could launch one immediately afterward to pressure his rivals into joining a wartime unity government. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Business & Tech Saudi economic ambitions under strain By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Divided Israeli opposition boosts Netanyahu By Gabrielle Debinski In New York City, reporting on the Middle East
Rouhani finally engages with Reformists, but some see too little, too late While Rouhani’s long overdue meeting with Reformists is a step toward cooperation, they're right to be wary of his friendly gesture. Iran
Iranian grand ayatollah faces threats for meeting with Reformists Iran’s seminary and social media have been stunned by a letter threatening a grand ayatollah over his personal meetings. Iran
Iran turns to tourism to earn hard currency, create jobs From developing infrastructure to expanding marine tourism and easing visa issuances, Iran is increasingly focusing on its underdeveloped tourism sector as US sanctions are reimposed. Iran
Will US sanctions sway Iran to enter oil deal with Russia? Iranians in general do not trust Russia, but their government may be looking into various oil deals with Moscow to work around US sanctions. Russia
Reformists begin signaling support for Larijani as president Iran’s parliament speaker, while long a figure in the conservative camp, appears to be gaining Reformist backing for a potential presidential bid in 2021. Iran
Why Chinese public diplomacy is failing in Iran While political and economic engagement between Iran and China continues to increase, China’s image remains poor as it is hostage to factional disputes within Iran. Iran
Khamenei says Iran did not encourage fighters to go to Syria, Iraq Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stressed the importance of Iranian fighters in Iraq and Syria in continuing Shiite commemorations. Iran
Kidnapping of Iranians puts Iran-Pakistan ties to the test The Oct. 16 kidnapping of 14 Iranian security personnel by a Pakistan-based terrorist group is putting the spotlight on the viability of the nascent security cooperation between Iran and Pakistan. Iran
Rouhani says Saudis wouldn't dare kill Khashoggi without US support Largely tight-lipped on the Khashoggi killing so far, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani is now implicating the United States in Saudi Arabia's alleged assassination of a dissident journalist. Saudi Arabia
Iraqi court suspends Abadi's act to pull Fayadh from posts A court ruling puts Faleh al-Fayadh back at the helm of Iraq's National Security Council and the Popular Mobilization Units, at least for now. Iraq