Iran’s IRGC tests new weapons as second US aircraft carrier nears region The drill was at least the third conducted by Iranian forces in the past two weeks. Iran
Analysis Israel fears Trump will clear path for partial Iran deal on nuclear standoff Israel is concerned that a limited American strike on Iran, followed by negotiations, would lead to a partial nuclear deal that excludes the ballistic missile and proxy issues. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Lebanon FM says Israel may strike Beirut airport in war with Hezbollah Lebanon’s top diplomat said Beirut has received warnings that Israel would strike the country’s airport in a war with Hezbollah as the specter of a military confrontation between the group’s ally, Iran, and the United States looms. Lebanon
US envoy Barrack oversees Chevron deal in Iraq amid Iran influence row The Trump administration is maintaining pressure on Iraq over the nomination of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the influence of Iran-backed militias in the country. Iraq
Analysis Iran scrambles to shape endgame amid growing US military pressure By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Despite warnings from Israel's defense elite, Netanyahu pushes for Iran strike By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Pentagon sends aircraft carrier Nimitz home from Middle East The USS Nimitz spent more than 270 days at sea conducting exercises with the Indian navy and seeking to deter Iran from retaliating for last year's killing of Qasem Soleimani. Legacy: Gulf
Pentagon reassures Middle East partners on deterring Iran The US military is signaling its show of force against Tehran may continue as the State Department explores paths toward a renewed nuclear agreement. United States
Intel: Progressives defend Robert Malley as Biden's possible Iran envoy Critics accuse the former Obama official of overlooking Iran's human rights record. Congress
Iran hosts Taliban delegation to discuss US presence in Afghanistan Both Iranian and Taliban officials criticized the United States' role in Afghanistan during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, amid peace talks in Qatar. Iran
Iranian-American sentenced to prison, allegedly without a trial Iran has imprisoned a number of dual citizens of the United States and European countries on disputed charges. United States
France says Iran must return to nuclear deal compliance before US does Paris backed up Washington after Russia’s government said the Biden administration must make the first move before Iran returns to compliance. Iran
Iranian commander threatens to 'destroy' US ships A general in Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps made the provocative statement less than a week into Joe Biden's presidency. The new US president has said he wants to talk with Iran. Iran
Twitter suspends account linked to Iran's supreme leader following threat against Trump The social media giant also suspended an account from an Iran-backed Iraqi militia commander; these actions follow the suspension of Donald Trump's Twitter account earlier this month when he was still president. Iran
Intel: House Democrats call on Biden to reform Middle East war powers California Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee and House committee leaders wasted no time calling on the new president to rein in two-decade-old legislation on the authorization of military force. United States
Biden team picks Dana Stroul to lead Pentagon's Middle East desk Stroul, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, will join a roster of Obama-era veterans when she returns to the Pentagon. Syria
Iran holds another military drill in the Gulf of Oman Tuesday's ground forces exercise followed naval and drone drills last week, as tensions with the United States continue. Iran
Iran’s shows off ballistic missiles, drones in drill amid US tensions The military exercise in Iran's central desert comes as the Trump administration makes a final push to punish Tehran. Iran
