Saudi Arabia's FM heads to China amid differences with US on Iran war Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan’s visit to Beijing comes as commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains unstable. Saudi Arabia
Analysis How competing visions over Hormuz strait threaten fragile Iran-US deal Iran's latest measures in the strategic waterway expose widening gaps with the US and Gulf states, which could complicate the durability of recent diplomatic breakthroughs. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
US carries out strikes in Iran after vessel attack US forces struck Iranian coastal targets after Tehran was accused of attacking a commercial cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran
Iran vows to respond to Israeli military using neighboring airspace: What to know Iran’s military headquarters said it “considers responding to these dangerous actions as its right” after alleging that Israeli jets have been operating in the airspace of neighboring countries near Iran. Iran
Trump calls Iran’s drone attack on cargo ship 'foolish violation' of ceasefire By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis Vance turning us into 'punching bag': Israel fumes over alleged IRGC-CENTCOM channel in Doha By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iran attacks cargo ship off Oman, testing Trump’s Hormuz Strait deal By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Trump administration imposes new sanctions on Iranian company The administration is continuing to add sanctions on Iranian entities ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's taking office. Biden could remove some of the sanctions. United States
Iran says no new negotiations until US reenters nuclear deal Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the United States must reenter the nuclear deal without preconditions. United States
Biden reaffirms pledge to revive Iranian nuclear deal In an interview with The New York Times, Biden said rejoining the landmark agreement is the best way to avoid a nuclear buildup in the region. United States
Netanyahu prepares his Iran cards before Biden takes office Israel did not take responsibility for the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakharizadeh, yet Western sources estimate it was a Mossad operation. Israel
Nuclear scientist's assassination puts Tehran at crossroads As Iran investigates the assassination of a top nuclear scientist, fingers are already pointing at Israel and the United States, whose outgoing administration clearly wants to minimize the chances of reviving the nuclear deal. Iran
Iran's president says post-Trump de-escalation with US can be 'easy' President Hassan Rouhani said Tehran could ease tensions with the new US administration, only one day after Iran’s supreme leader expressed disappointment at negotiations. Iran
Talks ‘got us nowhere’: Iran’s supreme leader casts doubt on future negotiations Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's comments come as the Trump administration ramps up its maximum pressure campaign on Iran. Iran
Iran taps into emergency fund to compensate Ukraine flight victims The Islamic Republic is to pay families of the victims of the Ukrainian flight it downed earlier this year. But the payment has been secured not from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responsible for the missile attack but from an emergency fund meant for the public interest. Iran
Iran to pursue legal action against US over medical sanctions Tehran has struggled to contain the spread of the disease and accused Washington of cutting off access to a life support system. Iran
Rouhani, Zarif face criticism for suggesting talks with US While Iran seeks the removal of sanctions, some officials are not keen to reenter direct talks with the US. Iran
US unveils new round of Iran sanctions, Pompeo pledges more to come Targets in the latest round of sanctions include an Iranian charitable organization and Iran's intelligence minister. United States
The Takeaway: Iran’s mixed messages include diplomatic opening for Biden Iran escalates tensions in Trump’s final days, while Zarif opens window to diplomacy; Israel, Palestinians, Gulf ready themselves for Biden; Woman coaches Egyptian men’s soccer team; More mummies in Egypt! Iran