Iran says understanding reached with Oman over new Hormuz route map Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters in Tehran on Monday that “an understanding has been reached regarding the map of the transit route.” Iran
Explainer Why Iran targeted Barzani family stronghold in Iraqi Kurdistan Iran’s Kurdish opposition groups have turned Iraqi Kurdistan into a frontline in the war. Iran
Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it 'gets in the way' of US-Iran deal The US president also threatened to "blow up" the Gulf partner in May. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump threatens to bomb Oman Kushner meets Netanyahu on Gaza plan; Pope calls for end to West Bank violence; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Why Iran is intensifying wartime crackdown in restive Baluchistan By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Lebanese PM urges Israeli withdrawal in meeting with US envoy By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Do Iranian hard-liners really want to stop foreign investment? Despite criticism and warnings of "infiltration" in the aftermath of the nuclear deal, are Iranian hard-liners really opposed to foreign investment? Iran
Iran hedges its bets in Syria After joining the Vienna II talks on Syria, Iran continues to hedge its bets, including beefing up the Syrian National Defense Forces, to ensure its ability to protect its interests in the country and the region. Syria
Is defeating the Islamic State impossible? The Islamic State's stringing together of religion, power and modernity of sorts is a tough knot to untie. Syria
Will Rouhani only serve one term as president? The publication associated with Iran's Ansar-e Hezbollah argues that President Hassan Rouhani has failed in both his economic and diplomatic promises. Iran
Will Iran pursue high-cost strategy in Syria? A previously unpublished speech by an Iranian general who was killed in Syria may reveal efforts to justify Iran's growing involvement in Syria. Syria
Is it time for China to step up its engagement in the Middle East? It is time for China to capitalize on its position as the only great power with good relations with both Iran and Saudi Arabia to facilitate regional engagement. Saudi Arabia
In the battle against IS, where is the Arab coalition? Arab countries claiming their opposition against the Islamic State have stood down in their battle against the self-proclaimed "Caliph Ibrahim," creating a political void in the coalition. Saudi Arabia
As IS fight ramps up, Obama sees modest progress, hope for Syria diplomacy President Barack Obama cited fragile progress in forging a Syrian diplomatic road map at international talks in Vienna that called for bringing the Syrian regime and opposition together for talks leading to a cease-fire, a new constitution in six months and new elections in 2017. Syria
Khamenei says Iran must go green Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a list of policy directives regarding the environment. Iran
Will Rouhani and Zarif defy Khamenei by holding direct talks with US on Syria? Despite Ayatollah Khamenei's public prohibition of dialogue with the United States on regional issues, it appears that Iran and the United States are bound to engage on Syria. Syria
Why is Rouhani backing off from those profiting from sanctions? Is Rouhani's softer tone against those who've benefited from the sanctions on Iran a tactic to win them over — or is he just giving up? Iran
After Paris, Iran spy chief warns Tehran could be next Iranian officials have warned about the possibility of an attack by the Islamic State. Syria
