US, Saudi Arabia strike Iran-aligned militias in Iraq as IRGC targets US forces in Jordan The IRGC’s attempt to redraw the status quo amid an uneasy stalemate comes as White House hedges its military options and Omani officials seek to bring the two enemies back to the negotiating table. Iran
Analysis Why Ukraine's strike on Iranian ship marks dangerous new phase in ties Tehran has warned Kyiv of consequences, as pent-up tensions couple with what Iran believes is Ukrainian alignment with the US and Israel in the recent war. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Explainer Tankers keep sailing Red Sea despite Houthi threats as Saudi oil lifeline faces strains Roughly a dozen oil tankers were sailing in the vicinity of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait as of Tuesday evening, following an uptick in traffic the day before as shippers bet on new US-Iran diplomacy. Yemen
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Israel’s Netanyahu to discuss Iran, Lebanon with Trump Oman proposes Hormuz management plan; Iraq's Zaidi pays first visit to Turkey; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
US sanctions Iranian firm over internet censorship The Treasury Department says that the technology company Arvan Cloud has a close and collaborative relationship with Iran's intelligence services. Iran
Iran releases 1 Danish, 2 Austrian citizens after Oman mediation The newest release of European dual nationals follows a prisoner swap between Iran and Belgium also mediated by Oman. Iran
Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE attend BRICS meeting in South Africa as bloc mulls expansion Iran, which has applied for observer status in BRICS, is finessing non-Western states to remedy its battered economy. Iran
Attack on Iran-Pakistan border leaves 2 dead Security issues are complicating Iran’s relations with Pakistan, and there has also been violence on the Iran-Afghanistan border recently. Iran
Iran executions spike by 76% with 142 people hanged in May: Report A new report reveals that Iran carried out 307 executions in 2023 as rights groups' pleas fall on deaf ears. Iran
Why did Shamkhani, Iran's powerful national security chief, resign? Ali Shamkhani, the longstanding secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, has yielded his post to a prominent commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran
Iran’s Khamenei hails thaw with Egypt, Saudi Arabia during Omani sultan visit The potential rapprochement falls within Tehran's hard-liners' recent push on the reset button in Iran's ties with Arab rivals to reposition itself in the regional power play, avert economic collapse and fight off international isolation. Iran
Iran-Pakistan cooperation complicated by sanctions, porous border Newly inaugurated power line and border marketplace mark progress, but sanctions hinder completion of long-delayed pipeline. Iran
Iran, Belgium complete prisoner swap mediated by Oman Belgian national Olivier Vandecasteele was released from prison in Iran in an Oman-mediated exchange deal. Iran
Israeli brass sounds alarm on Iran's readiness to launch nuclear attack Israeli officials are watching tensely as intelligence indicates Iran is working on the detonation mechanisms needed for a nuclear bomb. Israel
From roads to routers: The future of China-Middle East connectivity Latest Trend Report: China is deepening its engagement in the Middle East, and the region, by and large, is welcoming it.
Iran tests ballistic missile with 1250-mile range, capable of hitting Israel The missile's declared range makes it capable of reaching Israel, which warned Tehran this week with military action over its ramped-up nuclear enrichment and regional activities. Iran