Interview

Qatar says divisions within GCC have become ‘lose-lose’ situation for the region

Qatari spokesperson says the split among the Gulf states compromises the security of the region and that thousands of families are already paying a price.

IRGC commanders begin to reprimand Iranians for electing Rouhani

Ultraconservative commanders in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are now openly criticizing voters for electing Hassan Rouhani, whose performance they view as the root cause of the country's economic woes.

Iran

Criticism grows as Iranian authorities respond to floods

Many Iranian provinces have been hit by flash flooding as criticism grows online about prevention efforts.

Iran

Tehran cop standing up to celeb raises debate on privilege, rule of law

A controversial incident involving a former Iranian soccer player who refused to abide by traffic laws has ignited furious reactions in Iran against celebrities expecting special favors.

Iran

US, announcing new sanctions, says it hopes Iran comes 'back to negotiating table'

New sanctions on Iranians who have engaged in sensitive defense research are intended to make those individuals “radioactive,” according to a senior US administration official.

United States

How US, Iranian regional security strategies diverge

The Iranian and US models to promote regional security differs because the former emphasizes engagement with nations to raise popular forces while the latter solely relies on states.

United States

Will Iraq lose its benefits from Shatt al-Arab River to Iran?

The recent renewal of an Iraqi-Iranian agreement on the Shatt al-Arab River stirred controversy among Iraqis, as many are concerned Iran will take over the border river.

Iraq

Iran turns to crypto to enable easier spending by tourists

Iran’s government and private sector are eyeing cryptocurrencies to resolve a decadeslong lack of international payment channels in the Islamic Republic.

Iran

Iran brings in New Year by focusing on domestic production

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stressed the need to focus on domestic production in the upcoming year.

Iran

US singles out ‘mafia’-like groups as key threat to Iraq’s future

In exclusive interviews with Al-Monitor at the State Department, two top State Department officials lay out US policy goals as Iraq seeks normalize and balance ties with Iran and its other neighbors while seeking to prevent a return of the Islamic State.

Iraq

Road map for Iran-EU trade and investment relations

Europe is making efforts to set up a special purpose vehicle to uphold legitimate trade with Iran, but there is a need for a more comprehensive action plan for such trade and political relations.

United States

Saudi-Iran conflict threatens to flare in Pakistan

Recent Saudi investments in a Pakistani port near the border with Iran are likely to irk Tehran, but Islamabad’s strategic ties to both Tehran and Riyadh make it a prime contender to ease the tensions.

Saudi Arabia