Analysis As Trump confirms US-Iran meeting, can Pezeshkian find at UN path to a deal? In New York, Pezeshkian will be seeking leverage, not reconciliation, as Iran scrambles to balance military defiance, economic crises and tentative mediation against the costs of prolonging the conflict. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Explainer Turkish carriers halt Iran flights as US sanctions bite: Who could follow? On Monday, three major Turkish carriers canceled flights to and from Iran ahead of new US sanctions on Iran’s aviation sector. Iran
Iran seizes assets of 394 people accused of spying for 'hostile enemy' The crackdown comes amid heightened tensions in the region as the US and Iran trade threats. Iran
Analysis Why Netanyahu is distancing himself from Trump ahead of Israeli election No meeting has been announced between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly summit in New York. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Is Trump learning to live with Iran nuclear deal? In certifying that Iran is complying with the nuclear deal, the Trump administration appears to be discovering the merits of the accord. United States
Raisi slams Iran state TV for coverage 'biased' toward Rouhani Conservative presidential candidate Ebrahim Raisi has attacked the Iranian state broadcaster for excessively covering President Hassan Rouhani’s speeches. Iran
Why Israel will warmly welcome Mattis Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman and Secretary of Defense James Mattis are expected to discuss the threat of Iran's presence in Syria at a time when Israel is pleased with the United States' involvement in the region. Israel
Why Iran won’t ditch the dollar soon Although Iran has long touted plans to wholly abandon the US dollar, economic realities appear to be forcing Tehran to delay such a move. United States
As Iran's election nears, cracks appear in conservative camp Despite the Principlist JAMNA coalition holding a preliminary vote to find a consensus candidate, Iranian conservatives remain divided a month before the country’s presidential elections. Iran
Is Tehran's mayor lobbying to be only conservative candidate? While Iranian conservatives claim to have forged unity, a closer look indicates the opposite as Ebrahim Raisi’s supporters believe Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is maneuvering to sideline him. Iran
Ankara not backing down from Iraq intervention A week after announcing an end to operations in Syria, Turkey announced that it plans to launch a military operation in Iraq against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Sinjar, a move guaranteed to outrage the Baghdad government. Near East
How Iran's military strategy against IS may backfire While Iran’s security services have managed to thwart Islamic State attacks on the domestic front, Salafi jihadi ideology appears to be spreading in the country’s Sunni regions. Iraq
Will outstanding legal case prevent Ahmadinejad’s third term? While Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s registration for the Iranian presidential election surprised many, an open legal case concerning him may prevent his running for a third term. Iran
Assad’s departure still non-starter for Putin US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s comment on "orderly" transition could offer a face-saving spark for Syria political talks; Hezbollah’s No. 2 disavows "ambitions" in Syria; did Iran benefit from US missile strike? Sistani seeks restraints on Iraqi armed groups looking to fight in Syria. Iraq
Shiite militias prepare for education 'revolution' in Iraq Shiite militias within Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) are attempting to establish separate PMU universities, which some see as an attempt to bring Iranian influence to Iraq. Iraq
How Iran-Israel conflict has played out beyond political realm The tension between Iran and Israel has frequently extended to the cultural and sports sphere, with the only Iranian Oscar winner and other prominent Iranians finding themselves in the spotlight over exchanges with Israelis. Iran