Is Iran’s Syria policy really about to shift?

Iranian officials have rejected suggestions that a staff reshuffle at the Foreign Ministry means the country’s regional policies are soon to change.

Syria

Are major players shifting strategies in Syria?

Russia and the US find themselves in a complex situation in Syria, with plenty of doubt to go around.

Syria

Iranians shocked after deaths of 19 soldiers in bus accidents

Iranian social media users and officials expressed grief and outrage after 19 Iranian soldiers were killed in two separate bus accidents.

Iran

Why Iran should come off financial watchdog’s blacklist

Given major international banks’ continued reluctance to engage with Iranian counterparts despite the nuclear deal, getting Iran off of the FATF blacklist is a key step in addressing this threat to the nuclear deal.

United States

Could Foreign Ministry shakeup impact Iran's regional policies?

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has denied speculation that the recent change at the deputy foreign minister position is the result of appeasing foreign countries.

Syria

Iranian conservatives may be forced to embrace Rouhani

Iranian conservatives may have no choice but to find a way to engage with incumbent President Hassan Rouhani with the country only a year away from its next presidential election.

Iran

Soleimani issues rare political statement on Bahrain

The head of Iran’s Quds Force, Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, condemned the decision by Bahrain to strip the citizenship of Shiite leader Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim.

Bahrain

Iranian economists worry about both Clinton and Trump

Iranian economists aren’t terribly excited about the departure of US President Barack Obama.

United States

How Turkish energy giant's plans to light up Iran could boost Rouhani

The Belgium-based Turkish energy firm Unit International’s announcement that it will build seven natural gas-powered electricity production plants worth $4.2 billion in Iran could bring major benefits for the two countries.

Turkey

Can Saudis ease Egypt-Qatar tension after Al Jazeera death sentences?

Saudis want to bridge the divide between Qatar and Egypt so that its Sunni coalition can focus on Iran.

Saudi Arabia

Why was this influential Iranian deputy minister replaced?

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, deputy foreign minister for Arab and African affairs since 2011, has been replaced.

Saudi Arabia

Tehran drags Moscow deeper into Syria

The war in Syria is hitting Iran ever closer to home, prompting Tehran to push for closer coordination with Russia, even as leaders on both sides complain of a lack of confidence and tactical misalignments.

Syria