Analysis What's behind Iran’s intensifying attacks on shipping in Hormuz? With renewed tanker attacks, Tehran is betting to make Hormuz passage costly enough for Washington and strengthen the tool with election-related pressure President Trump is currently facing. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Iran’s IRGC says 5 killed in Baluchistan after dismantling ‘militant cell’: What to know Iran’s IRGC announced a new operation against armed militants in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchistan, which is witnessing almost daily attacks and clashes. Iran
Exclusive In bid to win over Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu may strike Yemen before elections Attacks on Iran or its Yemeni proxy before the elections cannot be ruled out, but the Israeli prime minister appears more inclined to support Saudi Arabia against the Houthis in Yemen. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Putin offers to help end Iran war, but can Russia deliver? As Washington and Tehran weigh their next moves, Moscow is seeking a diplomatic foothold in a war where influence may prove harder to convert into concrete results. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Deal or war? Israel fears fallout from Trump’s next move on Iran By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Are the Saudis ready to fight in Syria? With no end in sight to Saudi Arabia’s military intervention in Yemen, is Riyadh ready to risk major casualties by sending ground troops to Syria? Saudi Arabia
Iran reacts to Saudis' offer of troops in Syria Iranian officials play down Saudi statements about sending ground troops to Syria, especially as the Syrian government makes gains on the ground. Saudi Arabia
Rouhani awards medals to nuclear negotiators Iranian President Hassan Rouhani awarded medals to members of his Cabinet and the nuclear negotiation team. Iran
Airbus deal takeoff irks Iranian hard-liners While welcomed by many Iranians, President Hassan Rouhani’s trip to Europe, which involved extensive deal making, has triggered a backlash among hard-liners in Iran. Iran
Will French carmakers rev up Iran’s auto industry? The Rouhani administration focuses on forging partnerships with international carmakers to boost Iran’s embattled automotive sector. Iran
Rouhani calls for more Iranian women to 'lean in' to politics Iranian President Hassan Rouhani encourages women to become more involved in politics and culture. Iran
How Turkey's foreign policy may have lost it $25 billion in trade with Iran A preferential trade agreement between Turkey and Iran has failed to stop the decline in bilateral trade as regional political disputes between the two neighbors deepen. Turkey
Five reasons why Iran-Saudi conflict won't escalate Despite media speculation about war between Iran and Saudi Arabia, several domestic and international factors make that prospect highly unlikely. Saudi Arabia
How sanctions helped Iranian tech industry The sanctions both hurt and helped Iran’s high-tech industry. Iran
Why are Reformists criticizing Rafsanjani? Rafsanjani's criticism of the Guardian Council has brought about the criticism of two Reformist political figures in Iran. Iran
Selfies in Syria: How one Iranian religious singer is showing his support for fighters A famous Iranian religious singer who has a close relationship with Iran's hard-liners, says he did not intend for his controversial pictures in Syria to be published. Saudi Arabia
Qatar's precarious position between Saudi Arabia, Iran The recent decline in Saudi-Iranian relations has put GCC members in a bind, in particular Qatar, which for years has tried to maintain diplomatic and economic ties with Iran. Saudi Arabia