Iraq’s Zaidi doubles down on militia disarmament, boosting oil exports Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi made the comments amid Hormuz-related export struggles and a nearing deadline for armed groups to disarm. Iraq
Caught in the middle, Oman shrugs off Trump's latest Iran threat For the second time in months, President Donald Trump has threatened to strike the US partner as it holds talks with Iran. Oman
Houthis claim new strikes on Saudi Arabia after IRGC warning: What to know A senior Iranian commander said Saudi Arabia will be unable to the defeat the Yemeni group as the conflict intensifies. Yemen
China slams Trump over economic war on Iran: What to know China’s once significant oil imports from Iran have been impacted by the war in the region and increasing US sanctions. Iran
Exclusive Saudi Arabia wants Iran-backed militia 'heads to roll' in Iraq amid talks with Tehran By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
US designation of Houthis as terror group comes into effect The Houthi struck a Panama-flagged tanker ship in the Gulf of Aden with a missile as Washington restored its terror designation on the group in a bid to clamp down on its attacks on commercial shipping. Legacy: Gulf
Iran's IRGC claims developing stealth drones that 'can hit any vessel' Iranian missiles and drones are believed to have been fired by its regional proxies against Israeli and international ships, as the scope of the Israel-Hamas war expands across the region. Iran
US seizes Iranian missile parts in Arabian Sea headed to Yemen's Houthis The United States has struggled to choke off Iran's smuggling of weapons components to Yemen's Houthi rebels. Legacy: Gulf
Analysis Iran's use of 2 UK banks to evade sanctions tests West's financial systems The Financial Times reported earlier this week that Lloyds Bank and Santander UK provided accounts to companies with links to Iran’s intelligence services. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Are Iran-backed militias turning their drones against Syria’s Kurds? Syria’s Kurdish-led militia has increasingly found itself in the crosshairs of attacks by Iran-backed militias amid tit-for-tat strikes between US forces and Iran’s proxies. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
US brings retribution to Iran-backed militia leader in Baghdad strike The assassination of a Kataib Hezbollah commander in Baghdad on Wednesday came as the US military has struggled to intimidate Iran-backed groups without escalating towards direct conflict with Iran amid tensions over Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Iraq
US strike in Baghdad kills Kataib Hezbollah commander as Iraq tensions simmer A Telegram channel affiliated with Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) reported that Abu Baqir al-Saadi, a commander in Kataib Hezbollah, was killed in the attack. Iraq
Iran plans joint naval exercise with Russia, China as Red Sea tensions soar The trilateral drills will be the first this year that Iran is holding with the two powers, as it remains under Western pressure over involvement in attacks on international navigation in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. Iran
Why Iraq's dinar is trading below official dollar rate amid new restrictions A top US official visited Iraqi officials last week to discuss countering illicit finance and strengthening Iraq’s financial system. Iraq
Pentagon vows more strikes against Iran-backed groups, rejects open-ended campaign The Pentagon says it isn't planning for an open-ended campaign of retaliation against Iran-backed groups, even as Israel vows to expand its war in Gaza on to the Rafah area. Syria
6 Kurdish SDF forces killed in Iran-linked attack on Syria base housing US troops The drone attack left at least six dead among the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Syria
Iran-Israel intel war rages as Tehran says it identified Israeli spies worldwide The announcement came in the wake of a chain of Israel-blamed targeted assassinations of senior Iranian officers in Syria, which have left Tehran in a tight spot for revenge. Iran
