Turkey’s military spending jumps to $30B, leads Mideast growth in 2025 Newly released data shows Ankara’s military spending hit $30 billion, while Saudi Arabia remained the region’s top spender and Israel’s outlays declined in 2025. Turkey
Pistachios reach highest prices in eight years amid Iran war Pistachio prices rose to around $4.57 a pound in March, their highest since 2018, according to data company Expana. Iran
Iran FM meets Putin, Russia’s military intel chief as talks stall: What to know Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi headed to Russia following visits to Pakistan and Oman over the weekend as talks with Washington are at a standstill. Iran
Analysis Why Saudi Arabia, Egypt are wary of Turkey’s proposed 4-way defense pact with Pakistan The proposed framework faces major hurdles and fault lines, ranging from NATO constraints to Israeli opposition and weak military integration. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Araghchi’s Russia, regional tour tests path to breaking US-Iran deadlock By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Israel fears Trump angling for Lebanon deal to offset Iran missteps By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran give BRICS economic boost, but won’t rival US leadership Tangible economic benefits may be some distance away, experts say, but the symbolic benefit is joining an alliance separate from, or opposed to, Western interests. Iran
US welcomes conviction of Iranian, 4 Iraqis for killing American citizen Stephen Troell, an aid worker in Baghdad, was killed in November when gunmen opened fire on his car. Iraq
Iran's oil production bounces back as exports to China rise despite sanctions Iran's oil industry was hurt by the reimposition of US sanctions in 2018, but has largely recovered since then, in part due to increased exports to China. Iran
Iran claims to foil Israeli plot against its missile operations The announcement follows Iranian officials saying they had dismantled “Zionist-linked” cells across the country and amid an escalating proxy war between Iran and Israel. Iran
Iran claims to dismantle Israeli-linked ‘Zionist’ cells across the country The announcement follows another attack on a Shiite shrine in the country, as well as renewed Iranian threats towards Iranian Kurdish groups in Iraq. Iran
Raisi says revival of nuclear deal not Iran's priority Talks to restore the 2015 accord have been in a state of impasse for 18 months, as both Iran and the United States appear to be increasingly reluctant for a breakthrough. Iran
Republican says Congress 'kept in dark' as Iran envoy saga develops Congressional Republicans are furious after the Tehran Times published a letter purportedly from the State Department discussing the suspension of Malley’s security clearance. Iran
Raisi pushes anti-US agenda in BRICS as Iran celebrates ascension The Islamic Republic hopes that BRICS membership will remedy its ailing economy and open a new front against American influence in the global sphere. Iran
Can US-Iran prisoner deal build trust for broader talks? Experts say the release of five Americans held in Iran could lay the groundwork for a resumption of nuclear talks between the longtime adversaries. Iran
US finally unloads Iranian oil from seized tanker The Iranian oil aboard the Suez Rajan sat unloaded off the coast of the United States for months amid threats from Iran, causing concern in Congress. Iran
Iran claims to have produced key engine for supersonic missile tech The announcement was the latest in a chain of advancements Iran has claimed in its missile technology in defiance of Western criticism and amid regional tensions. Iran
Analysis Is Biden’s reset on Iran paying off? Republicans say no; four benchmark dates to watch. By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti
