Analysis Mediators scramble to avert US-Iran fighting after Trump's midterm restraint fades Tehran has little incentive to make concessions that the Trump administration could tout as a win before next week’s election. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
CENTCOM chief briefs Trump on Iran strike options It was not immediately clear following Trump’s meeting with top defense officials whether he had decided to restart the war. Iran
Iran arrests 16 in connection with alleged US-Israel-linked cells: What to know Iran claimed that some of the 16 people it had arrested had entered Iran from abroad. Iran
Analysis How wartime urgency pushed Iran to court Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan Tehran's push for a regional security order independent of Washington could be gaining diplomatic momentum, but the Islamic Republic has competing, if not conflicting, strategic priorities with the countries it hopes to engage. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis From Hormuz to data centers: How Iran’s threats are raising stakes of renewed war By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis How Netanyahu could attack Iran to force Israel into unity government after elections By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iranian Kurdish fighters step up clashes ahead of KRG independence vote The increased attacks against Iranian forces by Iranian Kurdish opposition groups based in Iraq raise questions about the future of relations between Erbil and Tehran. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Saudi gamble on Hamas could pay off, or enrich rival Iran The Saudis are increasing pressure on Hamas, which might win them points with US President Donald Trump and Israel, but drive the Palestinian movement and its allies toward Iran. Saudi Arabia
Haley to press IAEA on Iran deal compliance The US ambassador to the United Nations and rising Republican star has been sharply critical of Tehran. United States
Iran opposition leader ends hunger strike Iranian opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi ends his hunger strike after authorities meet one demand and reportedly pledge to meet the other. Iran
Iranian labor market on path to gender transformation While Iranian women have made advances in recent years, they still face the major challenge of being excluded from the labor market. Iran
Iran army chief's Turkey tour ends in promises of military cooperation Regional rivals Turkey and Iran are exchanging visits by top officials, brought together by deeply ingrained fears that Western powers are covertly egging on their respective Kurdish populations to weaken and dismember them. Syria
Saudi Arabia engages Iraq at Iran's dismay Iraq's rapprochement with Arab Sunni countries including Saudi Arabia is putting increased pressure on Iran. Saudi Arabia
Iranians mock Rouhani over explanation for no female ministers Iranians take to social media to mock President Hassan Rouhani over his explanation for failing to abide by his campaign promise to appoint female ministers to his Cabinet. Iran
Iranian return to hajj could help end Saudi deadlock The resumption of Iranian participation in the annual hajj pilgrimage may help pave the way for an end to the diplomatic deadlock between Riyadh and Tehran. Saudi Arabia
Trump administration presses Middle East on religious freedom Secretary of State Rex Tillerson committed the United States to fighting for religious liberty around the world with the release of the annual International Religious Freedom Report. Legacy: Gulf
What’s next for GCC-Iraq ties after Sadr's UAE visit? Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has made trips to Saudi Arabia and the UAE to meet with Gulf leaders, but improving Iraq-GCC ties will be no easy task. Saudi Arabia
Turkey faces Kurdish quandary in Iraq, Syria Ankara is finding it difficult to devise a holistic approach to the region’s Kurdish question. Syria