Analysis How Iran is framing deal with US amid competing narratives Amid growing speculation about details and technicalities of a US-Iran deal, Washington and Tehran are painting different pictures, exposing a gap between public messaging and diplomatic reality. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
US strikes on Indian-crewed tankers spark tensions with New Delhi India summoned the US deputy chief of mission in Delhi on Friday to protest American strikes on commercial vessels off the coast of Oman. Iran
Analysis 'A complete disaster': Israel scrambles for clarity as Trump touts emerging Iran deal Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu relayed Israel’s red lines to Trump, but given the current rift between the two leaders, the demands may be little more than a wish list. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iran-US draft deal would release $24B in funds, ensure Lebanon ceasefire: Iranian media The draft circulating in Iranian state media, which Trump denied on Friday, would grant Tehran sanctions relief and access to billions in frozen funds while limiting final talks to nuclear issues and excluding its missile program and proxies. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran says no final decision yet on deal By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
EU eyes return as Iran’s first trade partner With the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions, Iran and the European Union can now restore their commercial ties — but not without bumps in the road. Iran
Why was hajj for Iranian pilgrims canceled this year? After failing to resolve differences with Saudi Arabia, Iranians will be unable to attend the hajj pilgrimage this year. Saudi Arabia
Iran's 'marriage of convenience' with Taliban Experts say reports of an Iran-backed Taliban buffer zone in Afghanistan against the Islamic State are overstated but that Iran has had links with Taliban commanders for over a decade. Iran
Is Iran about to cut Muqtada al-Sadr loose? While refraining from breaking with Muqtada al-Sadr and his rebellious followers, Iran is not fully embracing the Iraqi cleric either. Iraq
How Iranian conservatives seized Assembly of Experts chairmanship All of the moderates' calculations were correct ahead of the vote for the chairmanship of Iran’s Assembly of Experts — but they didn't account for one important factor: conservative mobilization. Iran
Did Iran’s president sideline his own brother? Iranian media are speculating as to why Hossein Fereydoun, brother and special adviser to President Hassan Rouhani, has not attended Cabinet meetings for two months. Iran
Iranians in uproar over executive pay at state-owned company Leaks of executive pay at Iran’s main state-owned insurance company spark a public backlash, with a hint of what President Hassan Rouhani may face as the country enters election season yet again. Iran
Has Iran-Saudi cyberwar already started? After an Iranian website was hacked, some Iranian websites are speculating as to whether or not an Iranian-Saudi cyberwar has begun. Saudi Arabia
US seizure of Iranian assets may open old wounds One month after the US Supreme Court’s ruling that frozen Iranian assets can be used to compensate families of victims of a 1983 bombing, the Rouhani administration is under mounting pressure to take action. Iran
Does Obama administration oppose key Iran bill? Congress blows up over the administration's refusal to endorse renewal of the expiring Iran Sanctions Act. Iran
Tehran accuses Israel of holding four Iranians who disappeared 34 years ago Iran's defense minister said that Israel is holding prisoner the four Iranians who were kidnapped in Lebanon in 1982. Israel
Hard-line cleric clinches Assembly of Experts leadership Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati has been elected to head Iran's Assembly of Experts, the body that will choose the next supreme leader of Iran. Iran