Will Iran take up Vance lifeline to avoid another US attack? Vance’s letter comes amid a flurry of diplomatic activity ahead of the Nov. 3 deadline; Jordan and Syria move to deepen security ties following a terrorist attack. Iran
Analysis Who will blink first in latest US-Iran diplomacy efforts? The prospects for a US-Iran deal may depend less on the scope for compromise than on whether either side can afford to make the first concession. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Limpet mine attack in Hormuz suggests Iran may be shifting tactics UKMTO report of the first successful limpet mine attack on a commercial vessel in the Middle East since 2019 appeared to undermine the Pentagon's claims to have fully cleared and opened the Strait of Hormuz. Iran
Oil tops $114 as traders brace for Iran escalation after US midterms On Friday, BP posted its highest profits in 18 years as a result of the Iran conflict, which has driven up oil and gas margins. Iran
Hegseth fires Pentagon’s top strategist accused of leaks amid Iran war By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Iran war has cost Pentagon more than $47B: What to know By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis 2023 in review: Biden bets his Middle East strategy on Gaza war By giving Israel carte blanche support for its war in Gaza, Biden is putting his national defense strategy — and its focus on multilateralism — to the test. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
What is behind Iran-Russia de-dollarization deal as sanctions bite? The long-awaited agreement was one among several solutions the two countries have sought to salvage their battered economies, which remain cut off from key international banking systems. Iran
Naftali Bennett: Israel attacked Iran drone base, killed IRGC commander in 2022 Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett accused the current government of ignoring the war Iran is waging against it and letting its leaders off the hook. Israel
Funeral held for Iran's IRGC commander killed by Israel as Tehran vows revenge Iran said Sayyed Razi Mousavi was killed in an Israeli strike in Syria. The death of the commander, who was mourned in Syria and Iraq, could ignite war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah. Iraq
Analysis How killing of Iran’s IRGC commander in Syria could ignite Israel-Lebanon war With Hezbollah increasing its missile and drone attacks against Israel’s northern communities, war on the Lebanon border could erupt at any minute. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
As US rallies new Red Sea task force, Arab states remain silent The US is opting for a collective defensive approach after Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted a dozen commercial ships with drones and missiles in the Red Sea during recent weeks in response to Israel's war in Gaza. Legacy: Gulf
Iran launches new naval unit as Red Sea attacks intensify Equipped with rocket-launching vessels, the additional force is introduced amid increasing encounters between Iranian and American vessels in the Persian Gulf. Iran
US looks to China as Yemen’s Houthis ramp up Red Sea attacks Maritime attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels have rattled energy markets and thrown Yemen's peace process in doubt. Legacy: Gulf
Iran says ‘enemy conspiracy’ behind outage at 70% of gas stations The Oil Ministry’s Shana news agency reported that operations will be running again as normal within “a few hours” and until then fuel is being distributed offline. Iran
Britain hits Iran and its foreign proxies with fresh sanctions The measures, coordinated with the United States, also target Iran's shipping sector and drone exports. Iran
Houthi missile hits Norwegian-flagged tanker in latest Red Sea attack Iran-backed rebels hit a Norwegian-owned chemical tanker with a cruise missile, but the ship had no clear connection to Israel, signaling the Houthis may be widening the aperture of their attacks. Legacy: Gulf
Key Pentagon policy officials to step down amid widening Middle East crisis Mara Karlin, who oversaw the drafting of the Biden administration's national defense strategy and has filled in as the Pentagon’s no.-3 top official, and Dana Stroul, the department’s Middle East policy director, are both stepping down as Congressional dysfunction threatens to hold up their replacement. Washington Connection
