Feature Trump’s Iran deal sidesteps fate of detained Americans The White House declined to say whether the release of the six Americans would be included in a final deal. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Culture Morocco, Egypt impress with notable draws despite winless World Cup start for Mideast teams Several teams from the Middle East and North Africa could advance to the knockout stage under the new format, and Morocco climbed in the rankings despite a tie in its opener. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump touts Iran deal as Hegseth warns Tehran Iran stands to gain from deal; 3 Iranian tankers pass US blockade; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Explainer Sanctions relief and reconstruction: How China benefits from Trump-Iran deal It is no exaggeration to say that every provision of the 14-point deal favors China. China
Newsletter: China-Middle East How China benefits from Trump's Iran deal By Joyce Karam , Rosaleen Carroll
Will R&D agreement seal the Iran deal? Research and development for Iran's nuclear program will play a large role in how the final nuclear agreement looks. Iran
Iranian vendor dies after setting himself on fire Iranian activists are questioning why the self-immolation of a fruit vendor in Iran did not lead to mass protests. Regional
Iran wages psychological war against IS Iran is waging a psychological war against the Islamic State in Iraq, promoting and highlighting the prominent role of Iraqi fighters among the country's paramilitary groups. Iraq
What is Khamenei thinking on removing sanctions? Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, said that the removal of sanctions has to be part of the nuclear agreement, not something that happens after the deal. Iran
Khamenei calls for greater domestic production In his New Year's speech, Ayatollah Ali Khameini, the Iranian supreme leader, urges greater national economic cooperation and says the country needs more domestic capacity building as part as being an "economy of resistance." Iran
Saudi anguish over Iranian gains The withdrawal of the remaining US military personnel from Yemen only adds to Riyadh's desperation, with Riyadh worried that Washington's priority is a nuclear deal with Tehran, not stopping Iranian subversion in the Arab world. Saudi Arabia
Turkey sidelines itself in US-led coalition against IS Turkey prefers to be a "reluctant subcontractor" rather than active participant in the international coalition against the Islamic State; US envoy seems to contradict Kerry on Syria diplomacy; Israel faces possible "diplomatic siege" after election; majority of Americans back US negotiations with Iran; Al-Monitor endorses new global standards to protect freelance journalists. Palestine
Iran's past nuclear activities come under scrutiny A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of March 23. Congress
Iranian VP works for change from within In an interview with Al-Monitor, Shahindokht Molaverdi, vice president for Women and Family Affairs, talks about her role advocating for women's rights and the importance of working from within the administration for change. Iran
Did Rafsanjani lose today to win tomorrow? Hashemi Rafsanjani lost in the Assembly of Experts election for the chairmanship, but was it a gambit to bring voters out next year? Iran
Iran may turn to biofuels amid worsening pollution As pollution increases in Iran, Iran may finally turn to biofuels, despite previous failed attempts to do so. Iran
Will Qasem Soleimani enter politics? With all of the media attention Qasem Soleimani is getting, it raises the possibility the Quds Force commander will go into politics. Iran