Analysis Without exit strategy, Israel faces emboldened Hezbollah, limited options on Iran While President Donald Trump remains undecided on striking Iran again, the Israeli military is sinking deeper into its Lebanon quagmire with a reinforced Hezbollah. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Trump congratulates Iraq PM-designate Zaidi in call: What to know The US President was openly critical of previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki, seen as too close to Iran, but is now welcoming the new candidate put forward by Iraq’s leading Shiite bloc. Iraq
Trump faces three paths ahead in Iran war as Hormuz standoff intensifies As the Hormuz standoff threatens a global economic chill, Trump must choose between military escalation, seeking a partial deal with Iran, or waiting out the pressure campaign. Iran
In defiant message, Iran’s Khamenei threatens US but appeals to Gulf The address was Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s third since coming to power and included a pledge to rid the Gulf of the US. Iran
Analysis How long can Iran's economy withstand Trump's naval blockade? By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
EU says Iran deal parties trying to salvage deal, not ready to trigger dispute mechanism The remaining parties to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal are not yet prepared to trigger the accord’s dispute-resolution mechanism over Iran’s decision to reduce its compliance to protest crippling US economic sanctions. United States
Updated: Iran's foreign minister receives visa, to arrive in NY Sunday Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was expected to arrive in New York on Sunday after uncertainty over whether he would receive a US visa amid tensions between Tehran and Washington. United States
Traps abound as Iraq charts independent course based on ‘national vision’ Iraq's new foreign policy vision promotes noninterference and economic integration; Turkey's bombing of PKK sites in Iraq's Qandil Mountains tests Baghdad's resolve. Iraq
Trump’s pick for top general plays down Iran war talk A day after Iranian boats reportedly attempted to seize a British tanker in the Gulf, President Donald Trump’s pick to become the military’s top officer downplayed the potential for conflict with Tehran. Congress
Rouhani out of time, support for revised nuclear deal US sanctions and Europe's failure to come up with a satisfactory substitute for the nuclear deal are weakening the moderates in Iran's government while inflaming the hawks. United States
IRGC denies it tried to capture British tanker The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has denied they attempted to seize a British oil tanker in the Persian Gulf. United States
Is Lebanon caught in the crossfire of the current US-Iranian standoff? With Iranian-backed Hezbollah playing a role in Lebanon's government, how much might the country suffer in case of a military confrontation between Washington and Tehran? Iraq
Will Trump follow suit if Israel attacks Iran? Ahead of the 2020 US presidential elections, President Donald Trump might decide to back Israel militarily, if it decides to attack Iran. Israel
Anniversary of Iran Air 655 tragedy offers lessons for US-Iran diplomacy today Iran Air 655’s bitter legacy; Iraq as front line; Iran should talk … but it needs off-ramps. United States
Shiite militias react angrily to decree integrating them into Iraqi forces Pro-Iran Shiite militias in Iraq reacted with displeasure to the prime minister's decree to integrate the Popular Mobilization Units into the Iraqi military forces, but the majority of the PMU are pledging allegiance to Baghdad. Iraq
Iraq orders militias to fully integrate into state security forces In an important move amid US-Iran tensions, the Iraqi prime minister issued a decree ordering the Popular Mobilization Units to come under the full control of the state. Iraq
