Analysis Despite warnings from Israel's defense elite, Netanyahu pushes for Iran strike Although Israeli advisers warn against appearing to drag the US into war, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not hidden his desire to help topple the Islamic Republic. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
In letter, US lays out 7 demands for next Iraqi PM, with emphasis on Iran The Trump administration is pressing Baghdad on Iranian influence and the nomination of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, with Iraq's top diplomat claiming the US stipulations include a "hint" toward potential sanctions. Iraq
Iran, Russia hold naval drills as Araghchi briefs Saudi FM on nuclear talks There are increasing indications a US military strike could be on the horizon as momentum toward a new Iran nuclear deal stalls. Iran
US readies warships, jets, tankers for potential weekslong Iran war Pentagon assembles its largest Middle East strike force since 2003, adding F-35s, F-22s, tankers, electronic-warfare and command planes plus a second carrier. United States
Iran’s foreign minister meets Japanese counterpart in rare Tokyo trip Hossein Amir-Abdollahian's visit to Japan comes amid mounting tensions in the region over Iran’s nuclear activities and attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf. Iran
Analysis Biden considers raising stakes for escalation with Iran in Gulf Iraq’s quiet may be misleading; Israel-Hezbollah tensions increase; Russia depends more on Iran than the reverse; Raisi visits Africa. By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti
Pentagon aims to use Marines to defend commercial tankers from Iran Iran’s retaliation for US seizures of sanctioned oil shipments has drawn the military back into the Persian Gulf, but will the Biden administration authorize it to engage? Iran
Iran president Raisi invites UAE's MBZ to visit Tehran The invite was extended on the same day that Iran conducted a naval drill on Abu Musa Island, which is disputed with the UAE. United Arab Emirates
11 Baluchi men executed in Iran as morality police returns to streets The executions are seen as a way to intimidate the public, while the morality police resumed its work to enforce Iran’s strict Islamic dress code. Iran
Iran's IRGC holds military drills at disputed UAE islands Iran held war games as a top oil official said the Islamic Republic will not give up “one iota” of its rights to the disputed Durra gas field in a potential sign of tension with Arab Gulf states. Iran
Iran drones venture into South America market with Bolivia as new customer Iran was seen attempting to expand its sway in Latin America after Bolivia expressed interest in purchasing Iranian drones and reports said the Venezuelan navy had started using Iran-made attack boats that could be mounted with ballistic missiles. Iran
Analysis Iran should be catalyst for Israel-Saudi normalization Saudi-Israeli diplomatic relations could also give a financial and political boost to the moribund two-state solution. By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti
Iraqi dinar falls 17% against dollar amid US restrictions over Iran deals The current depreciation follows 14 Iraqi banks being barred from using the dollar amid a crackdown on smuggling to Iran. Iraq
Iran unveils new ballistic missile after US deployment to Gulf Iranian officials said they had already mass-produced the "radar-evading" missile, which relies on artificial intelligence and is capable of "completely destroying" any frigate. Iran
Iran shrugs off fresh US reinforcements in Persian Gulf, boasts drone power The latest episode of potential US-Iran tensions in the Persian Gulf ensued Iranian encounters with commercial vessels in the strategic oil passage, the Strait of Hormuz. Iran
US seeking release of fourth American held in Iran National security adviser Jake Sullivan said the administration was working to bring home "four unjustly detained Americans" in Iran. Iran