US moving away from Middle East security guarantor role, Barrack says The US envoy said that direct US military intervention on the ground against the Houthis would be "fruitless." By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis How Lavrov's Tehran visit tests limits of Russia's influence over Iran As Tehran looks for an off-ramp from renewed conflict, Moscow is positioning itself as a diplomatic partner while pushing Iran to deliver on long-delayed economic deals. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
IRGC claims it downed US drone, set two tankers ablaze near Hormuz Iran has stepped up attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks. Iran
Iran says deal reached with Iraq to expel Kurdish separatists: What to know Iran said an agreement was reached with Iraq to expel or hand over members of Kurdish separatist groups based in Iraqi Kurdistan. Iran
Analysis Turkey turns to Iran to contain Houthis as Saudi defense commitments grow By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Window for diplomacy with Iran may be closing as Trump again threatens Pickaxe Mountain United States
Analysis How much oil can cushion another Middle East supply shock? By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Why Ali al-Taher ridge is emerging as Israel-Hezbollah flashpoint Israel has intensified its strikes and ground operations around the strategic hill in a bid to force Hezbollah out. Lebanon
Saudi oil exports hit nine-year low as tanker attacks threaten recovery The country’s oil exports were around 3 million barrels per day in August. Saudi Arabia
US expands Iran campaign with strikes on oil tankers Airstrikes on Iranian oil tankers mark a subtle tactical pivot after months of periodic bombardment targeting IRGC military infrastructure failed to shut down the IRGC’s attacks in Hormuz. Iran
Iran vows continued military action amid renewed hostilities with US Iran responded to US attacks with a wave of drone and missile strikes against countries across the region, raising fears of a return to war. Iran
Analysis Can Iran’s economic buffers withstand new US sanctions? Iran's Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati rejected US claims that Iran was heading toward economic collapse, dismissing them as psychological warfare. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
US airstrikes target Iran's Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island American military forces launched their first strikes on the Iranian mainland in more than a month just days after the top US commander for the region said Iranian mines have been cleared from Hormuz shipping lanes. Iran
Analysis Israel favors status quo as tensions in Iran's leadership fuel escalation risk Israel would prefer to preserve the current balance of pressure — with US naval blockades and economic measures continuing without a return to active fighting — per a senior Israeli security source. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Oil surges over 4% after US strikes Iranian mainland The strikes were Washington’s first on mainland Iran in just over a month and followed Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran
India, Iran hold sidebar as SCO summit opens amid US strikes The meetings come as tensions between Tehran and Washington have once again escalated. Iran
Pentagon inks 7-year missile-production deal amid Iran war shortage The Defense Department has been hammering out new agreements with top defense manufacturers as the Iran war has rapidly depleted Washington's interceptor stockpiles. United States
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan set Mecca Alliance into motion The three countries are moving to formalize military coordination under the newly named Mecca Alliance amid renewed hostilities between Iran and the US. Saudi Arabia
Oil prices fall after Iran steps up truce efforts, US says Hormuz mines cleared Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said in an interview on Thursday that Iran was preparing a list of conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran
