Analysis How a new Baluch militant coalition raises pressure on Iran-Pakistan border Iran's military standoff with the US may be creating opportunities for Baluch groups to launch operations from the mountainous, sparsely populated frontier region with Pakistan. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Analysis As Iran regime marks 200 days of war, is it also preparing for dissent? Seven months into the war with the US, Iranian authorities staged a pro-government mobilization in Tehran, combining patriotic spectacle with a carefully calibrated demonstration aimed for domestic internal security capacity. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
US sanctions Iranian crypto exchange BitBank over Hormuz payments The US government says the exchange was used to channel payments from an Iranian maritime-insurance scheme to the regime. Iran
China presses Iran, US to reopen Hormuz as disruptions threaten oil supply Conflicts in the region are disrupting two key routes for oil bound for China, with Iranian crude affected by the Strait of Hormuz and Saudi shipments facing growing risks in the Red Sea. Iran
Newsletter: Business & Tech Saudi oil squeeze deepens By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Exclusive Lacking deterrence, Israel’s security establishment opposes attacks on Houthis By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis How far will Iran push Houthis against Saudi Arabia amid raging conflict? By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Newsletter: FutureVerse Middle East confronts AI risks By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Iranian media blames Ahmadinejad for quake deaths Iranian Reformist media outlets are pointing the finger at former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for the high death toll from the recent earthquake in the western part of the country. Iran
Iran's path to becoming an LNG exporter Iran is taking steps to export liquefied natural gas after having previous ambitions to do so scuttled by sanctions. Regional
New Iran law set to radically decrease executions A new law in Iran has been written to reduce the death penalty for drug smugglers carrying smaller amounts. Iran
Old friends steer Iran's Rouhani to the right Iran’s president appears to be turning right on the political stage as his friends gain more prominence in his second-term Cabinet. Iran
Iran, Turkey have own plans for Iraq's strategic Sinjar The Islamic State has been largely driven out of Iraq, but Turkey and Iran both remain intensely interested in certain areas. Iraq
Is US counseling restraint to Saudi crown prince? Saudi Arabia claims two "acts of war" in one week; Israel and Syria both back the Druze. Saudi Arabia
Congress abandons constraints on Kurdish aid US lawmakers wary of Iraqi Kurds’ independence push have shelved their concerns amid Baghdad’s Iran-backed push to reassert control. Iraq
Iran taking Saudi rhetoric, actions seriously The Saudi-Iranian clash that has Lebanon swirling in the middle could spiral out of control. Saudi Arabia
Kurds divided over blame for loss of Kirkuk The recapture of Kirkuk by Iraqi forces in the aftermath of the independence referendum is a heavy blow for Kurds in Iran, Syria and Turkey. Iraq
Congress deepens US-Israel missile alliance Congress’ annual defense bill tops Trump budget request by $500 million amid rising Iranian threat. Israel
Pakistan army chief makes historic visit to Iran Pakistan's army chief paid a rare visit to Iran's civil and military leadership in a bid for military cooperation. Iran
Iran drawing closer to Azerbaijan Long marred by political tensions largely driven by Iranian suspicions of Azerbaijan’s ties with Israel, relations between Baku and Tehran are beginning to reach new heights. Iran