What new Democratic Congress could mean for Iran war, $1.5T Pentagon budget Trump’s $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget and nearly $90 billion request for Iran war funding will soon be in the crosshairs as Democrats negotiate their demands with the White House. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis Iran cheers Democrats’ midterm victory but fears Trump's next move The Democratic win was a victory Tehran had been waiting to claim and project as evidence that Trump's confrontation with Iran has backfired. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
From Tehran to Tel Aviv, Democrats’ midterm triumph sparks Middle East reactions Iranian officials responded gleefully to the Democrats’ sweeping victory in the Senate and House, while regional media highlighted Abdul El-Sayed’s election as the first Muslim American senator. Iran
Gulf markets gain, oil falls as Democrats win Congress Oil prices fell after Democrats won control of the House and Senate amid hopes that a Democratic-led Congress could lead to more US restraint in Iran. United States
US strikes Iran’s Qeshm Island as Trump hints at possible deal By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Zarif says foreign ships making Gulf 'less safe' Iranian officials continue to push back against the naval presence of the United States and United Kingdom in the Persian Gulf. United States
As US pressure increases on Iran-backed militias, they turn to Iran Iran-backed PMU factions are under intense pressure from the Iraqi government and the public, leading them to Iran. Iraq
Rebuking Trump, French FM defends Iran mediation efforts French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian directly rebukes Trump and insists France will continue "mediation efforts" with Iran "to avert a wider conflict." United States
Why Moscow is ignoring US cyberattacks on Iran Despite Russia's partnership with Iran, Moscow turns a blind eye to American cyberattacks on key Iranian targets. Russia
Iran says US-led maritime coalition will create instability Iran’s defense minister has told regional defense officials that the US-proposed military coalition in the Persian Gulf would lead to instability. United States
Iran's Rouhani eases conditions for talks with Trump Iran's president says sanctions removal alone could initiate a Tehran-Washington dialogue, marking a departure from his earlier position where he strictly demanded the US rejoin the nuclear deal before any negotiation. United States
Tehran issues deadline for bypass to US sanctions Iran is stepping up its pressure on Europe to devise a successful workaround that will provide economic relief from US sanctions. United States
Tinderbox: Israeli military attacks in Iraq could complicate US strategy in Middle East Washington may need to draw some red lines to protect its larger regional interests. Iraq
Shiite military factions have long way to integrate into state forces Despite Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's decree about the Popular Mobilization Units, they have a long way to go to integrate into state forces. Iraq
US blacklists Iranian foreign minister After the United States placed sanctions on Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, White House officials told the media that he was merely a propaganda chief not worth negotiating with; experts, however, said Zarif was an effective messenger for the Islamic Republic. United States
Israel, US, Iran prepare for out-of-the-atmosphere battle Israel and the United States are together developing super-technologies that enable missiles to hit other missiles out of the atmosphere. Israel
Iran, UK both rule out oil tanker swap deal Tehran says it will not release a British-flagged oil tanker it captured earlier this month in a possible barter with the UK, which is holding an Iranian vessel off the coast of Gibraltar. Iran
