US hits major Russian bank VTB with Iran-linked sanctions State-controlled VTB becomes one of the most prominent global names yet caught up in Washington’s ongoing effort to squeeze Iran's economy. Iran
Third Sunni cleric killed in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchistan Province: What to know Iran says it is stepping up its crackdown on armed groups in the impoverished province as Sunni clerics have been reported killed there and in the predominantly Kurdish northwest. Iran
Analysis Saudi pipeline shutdown exposes shrinking global oil-supply buffers Oil prices have climbed to their highest since May as disruptions to flows through the Strait of Hormuz and the temporary shutdown of Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline tighten global supply. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Oil tops $109 after Houthi strikes, Saudi pipeline shutdown The Houthi militia said on Monday that it fired dozens of drones and ballistic missiles at military targets in Saudi Arabia in retaliation for airstrikes by Riyadh in Yemen. Iran
Analysis As Houthis seize Bab el-Mandeb, Iran appraises value of new Red Sea card By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Could Iran’s nuclear ambitions harden as war escalates? By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Analysis Iran’s Pickaxe mountain tests limits of Trump’s military options By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Record corruption scandal puts spotlight on Iranians in Iran, US The revelation of perhaps the biggest corruption scandal in Iranian history has exposed domestic political fault lines and is already reverberating as far away as Washington, DC. Iran
Do clothes make the woman? An Iranian artist's search for identity The works of Mona Hakimi-Schueler, an Iranian artist based in Berlin, depicts Iranian women not as victims but strong individuals whether in a hijab, summer dress or armor. Iran
Salih: Iraq can be a 'bridge to the economies of the region' Iraqi president charts new direction for Iraqi foreign policy based on "interrelated interests" at Sulaimani Forum; Iraq-Jordan trade deal should help address Jordan’s unemployment crisis; Rouhani arrives in Iraq to boost trade; US shifted arms from Iraq to Syria in second half of 2018. Iraq
Rouhani goes to Iraq to boost trade, assert authority at home President Hassan Rouhani’s landmark visit to Iraq is not just about expanding trade to deflect US pressure on the Iranian economy, but also to boost his administration’s standing in Tehran. Iraq
Iraqi officials stress need to boost Arab ties while balancing relations with Iran Iraqi officials and their Arab counterparts at the 2019 Sulaimaniyah Forum called for turning toward other Arab states while balancing relations with Tehran. Saudi Arabia
Did Iran ever stop funding Hamas? Iran has reportedly resumed its aid to the Palestinian Hamas movement, after years of estrangement over regional issues. Palestine
Khatami: Lost Reformist votes will go to regime changers Former Iranian Reformist President Mohammad Khatami said it is unlikely that Iranians will turn out to vote in large numbers unless there are reforms within the next year. Iran
Iran education lags despite nominal budget gains Iran’s educational system is under increasing strain as small increases in budget allocations and teacher salaries fail to catch up with chronic deficits. Iran
Iran spy services claim infiltration of foreign-based opposition in new series Iran's state broadcaster is airing a documentary series to show off the country’s intelligence services’ infiltration of the foreign-based opposition. Iran
Why artists are speaking up against ‘dirty money’ in Iranian cinema The increasing emergence of “dirty money” in Iranian cinema has sparked an outcry among artists, producers and directors, who are urging action to stop the phenomenon from ruining the industry. Iran
US government no longer excludes MEK as leadership option for Iran The group, once on a State Department list of terrorist organizations, has influential supporters in the Donald Trump administration. United States
As Iran mulls joining financial watchdog, Israel sees win-win situation If Iran joins the FATF anti-money laundering organization, the Islamic Republic might find it harder to fund militant organizations in the region, but if Iran does not join, it may lose what few international banking connections it already has. Israel