Mideast risks escalation as Iran ponders response to US

Rather than looking for a graceful exit from the region, Iran could escalate tensions in response to rising US pressure.

United States

Khamenei adviser warns Moscow of 'empty promises' from US

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sent his top adviser to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the Russian leader's meeting with Trump, in hopes that Moscow will remain wary of US promises.

Syria

Netanyahu, Putin talk Iran before Helsinki summit

In his last meeting with Putin before the Helsinki summit with Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to enlist Russia's support for Israel's Syria proposal for the United States.

Israel

Khamenei adviser says Russia to replace Western investors

As Western firms begin to exit Iran, one of Iran’s top officials travels to Russia.

Iran

Hamas feeling consequences of touting ties with Iran

Hamas needs its connection with Iran, but some within the movement say it must stop boasting about renewed relations before it undoes any progress it's made to change its international image.

Palestine

Congress wants VOA to take hard line on Iran

Accusing US-funded media like Voice of America of being too soft on Iran, Congress and the Donald Trump administration seek to exert more control over its Persian-language news services.

Congress

Iran supreme leader’s top aide in Moscow to ‘deliver message’

Iran has dispatched to Russia a “special envoy” with a message for President Vladimir Putin only a few days before his scheduled meeting with Donald Trump in Helsinki.

Syria

Why Iran's president won’t close strategic Strait of Hormuz

While Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s implicit threat to close the Strait of Hormuz has made headlines around the world, the real aim of his remarks appears to be domestic politicking.

Iran

Why only Khamenei can break deadlock over global watchdog blacklist

The heavily politicized debate in Iran over whether to ratify bills necessary to exit the FATF blacklist has reached a standstill that only the supreme leader seems able to break.

Iran

Momentum builds for Iran to meet global financial watchdog requirements

Iran’s political elite finally appear to have enough momentum to pass key measures to satisfy FATF’s demands for greater transparency and compliance with international standards, which will improve the changes of Iran and the European Union to build on their economic relations.

Iran

Top Democrats urge Gulf to drop demand for Houthi surrender in Yemen

Some of the House’s most hawkish Democratic leaders rebuked Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates over their offensive on the key port of Hodeidah.

Saudi Arabia

Iran moves closer to reinstating Zoroastrian city councilor

Iran’s Expediency Council is inching closer to reinstating an elected Zoroastrian member of a city council after a controversial suspension over his faith.

Iran