IRGC chief Qaani reportedly in Iraq ahead of militia deadline Esmail Qaani, who heads the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, has been heavily involved in Iran’s relations with Iraqi militias. Iraq
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Syrian court sentences Bashar al-Assad to death Turkey’s Fidan to visit Libya; Iran’s Khamenei appoints six military commanders; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Iran’s Khamenei appoints six military commanders: What to know The appointments, which replace figures killed in the war, follow Khamenei naming a new leader of the Islamic Republic’s top security body. Iran
Explainer Who is Iran’s Mohsen Rezaei, hard-line IRGC veteran appointed to top security post? Mohsen Rezaei's appointment comes as Iran navigates a fragile halt in hostilities with the US and negotiations over reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Syria, Russia reach deal on Russian bases By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis How Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan pact puts Iran's regional strategy to test By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Jordan shores up US lifelines as Iran targets Amman’s reliance on Washington By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Iran’s deputy environment chief resigns amid mounting pressure from hard-liners The sudden resignation of the young deputy head of Iran's Department of Environment, who had moved back to Iran from the UK to take the position, has stirred controversy. Iran
Ahmadinejad mired in clash with judiciary, IRGC Pressure is piling up on former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as two of his key aides are detained. Iran
Joint Syria strikes build US-EU trust ahead of critical Iran deadline With the UK and France joining the United States in strikes over Syria’s chemical weapons use, trust is growing between the Trump and European national security teams ahead of a key May deadline on the Iran nuclear deal. Syria
Saudi king uses Arab Summit to adjust Riyadh's stance toward Trump In response to a growing rift between Riyadh's regional policies and some actions by President Donald Trump, King Salman has reaffirmed long-held alliances while distancing the kingdom from Washington. Saudi Arabia
Iran keeps close eye on upcoming US-North Korea talks While Iran has refrained from commenting on the upcoming talks between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un, it is keeping a close eye on the prospect of a nuclear deal between the United States and North Korea. United States
Following Syria strikes, Rouhani calls for closer Iran-Russia ties Iranian officials say that the strikes on Syria demonstrate that armed groups are close to defeat. Syria
After missile strikes, Trump resumes exit strategy for Syria "No amount of American blood or treasure can produce lasting peace and security in the Middle East," Trump says. Syria
Turkey's response to US-led Syria strikes: Not enough but welcomed Immediate Turkish official reactions to the US-led airstrikes in Syria differ significantly from the public’s perceptions: While most Turks are skeptical of Western bombing of a Muslim nation, Erdogan fans afflicted by "Assad-phobia" cheered. Syria
5 potential scenarios for Iran deal With only weeks to go until US President Donald Trump faces a deadline to sign sanctions waivers, the nuclear deal with Iran could go very different places. United States
Pompeo faces Senate buzz saw over stance on Iran, Muslims President Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of state is in trouble amid a backlash over his administration’s hawkish bent. Congress
Trump's threats fuel nuclear ambitions among Iranian conservatives Iranian conservatives renew the prospect of exiting the nonproliferation treaty in case the United States withdraws from the nuclear deal. Iran
Iranian banking reforms gain steam after long delay Progress on major banking reforms in Iran finally moves in the right direction after years of stalling. Iran
