Iran's top cultural event jeopardized by artist boycotts

Following a series of announced boycotts, including by the Iranian director Massoud Kimiai, this year's Fajr International Film Festival announced the cancellation of its opening ceremony in a gesture of solidarity with the families of the people killed when Iran-fired missiles struck a Ukrainian airliner.

Iran

Egypt advises Iraq to expel US, other forces in bid for stability

Egypt is recommending that Baghdad expel all foreign forces, including those of the United States, from Iraqi territory following the US drone strike that killed Iran’s top Quds Force commander, Qasem Soleimani, at the Baghdad airport.

Egypt

Iraqi minorities concerned about possible US troop withdrawal

Iraqi minorities are afraid that rising tensions between Iran and the United States might end the US troop presence in the country.

Iraq

Iraq’s sidelined Sunnis weigh options amid US-Iran conflict

Iraq’s Sunni politicians, who are facing great challenges in managing areas still recovering from the damage caused by the Islamic State, worry that Iran-US tensions will have an added negative effect.

Iraq

Islamic Jihad undermines shaky Gaza cease-fire with rocket barrage

Israel, Egypt holding Hamas accountable for all attacks from Gaza; the wisdom of Sultan Qaboos.

Oman

Pentagon receives late notice of US injuries in Iranian strike

Eleven US troops have received treatment for possible traumatic brain injuries stemming from an Iranian missile attack on a US base in Iraq.

United States

Khamenei delivers Friday sermon after 8-year absence

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered the Friday sermon for the first time in eight years to address the important events in Iran over the last two weeks.

United States

What's in store for Iraq's PMU after death of top commander?

The Popular Mobilization Units will face fragmentation and division after the assassination of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was the backbone of the Iran-backed organization.

Iraq

Interview

Iraqi Kurdistan president: 'We are not scared of Iran, but we respect Iran'

Assessing the aftermath of Qasem Soleimani's death, KRG President Nechirvan Barzani, in an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, calls for a reasoned, negotiated approach to Iraq's problems and for the Kurdish issue in the region.

Nechirvan Barzani

President of the Kurdistan Regional Government

Intel: Why the Trump administration keeps dodging Iran briefings on Capitol Hill

Congress

Iran's Rouhani takes on powerful Guardian Council as elections approach

President Hassan Rouhani has criticized the conservative Guardian Council for disqualifying Reformist and moderate candidates from running the upcoming elections.

Iran

Will Iraq's Sunnis form semi-autonomous region if US troops leave?

Sunni politicians are said to be discussing the formation of a semi-autonomous Sunni region in Iraq following a parliamentary move supporting the expulsion of US troops from the country.

Iraq