Analysis Pakistan’s quiet fighter jet deployment to Saudi Arabia signals Gulf anxiety As US-Iran talks unfold, Islamabad balances mediation with a growing military role in the kingdom. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Interview UAE official says opening Hormuz integral to any Iran deal, describes infrastructure damage 'manageable' Abdulla Balalaa, UAE assistant minister of foreign affairs for energy and sustainability, spoke to Al-Monitor about the situation in the Gulf along with the UAE's focus on promoting privatization in the water sector and the 2026 UN Water Conference.
'The reach is global': Pentagon vows pursuit of ships tied to Iran trade A top admiral said the US Navy will pursue any vessels "providing material support to Iran" anywhere in the world. United States
Analysis How long can Iran's economy weather US naval blockade? Analysts believe the blockade will choke exports for essential items coming into Iran, like food and medicines. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Analysis Why Netanyahu caved to Trump on Lebanon and what it means for Israel By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: China-Middle East Why China stepped up Iran war diplomacy six weeks in By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Putin, Rouhani hold 'intensive' talks in Moscow Iran’s president, who is on a two-day trip to Moscow, holds “important” meetings with Russia’s president and prime minister. Russia
What role will Iran-linked militias play once IS leaves Iraq? Despite Iraqi government attempts to control Shiite militias within the Popular Mobilization Units, the groups still are ready and willing to confront Israel and Saudi Arabia outside of Iraq. Iraq
Iran responds to US with 'reciprocal sanctions' In response to new US sanctions on Iran’s ballistic missile program, Tehran sanctioned US firms that supply the Israeli government with arms and other equipment to support the settlement enterprise. Israel
5 reasons to watch Rouhani’s visit to Russia Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani is in Moscow for his first official visit to Russia. Russia
Turkey's drive to attract Iranian tourists hits political snags Scrambling to compensate for lost markets, Turkey’s tourism sector aims to attract 2 million tourists from Iran this year, but Ankara’s erratic foreign policy could throw this target into jeopardy. Turkey
Why another Khomeini may soon shape Iranian politics Of the many Iranian figures touted as potential successors to the late Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Hassan Khomeini stands out as the one person capable of assuming leadership of the moderate camp. Iran
Congress takes aim at Iran's ballistic missiles The House and Senate have wrapped up sanctions legislation just in time for AIPAC confab. Congress
Iranian tourists flock to Turkish border towns While Turkey's tourist industry is affected by Russian and European tourists no longer traveling to its shores in the large numbers seen previously, Iranian tourists party the night away in border towns such as Van. Turkey
Can Iran's conservatives agree on candidate for upcoming vote? In Iran, the Principlist camp remains torn by internal strife and continues to fail to agree on a consensus candidate to run against President Hassan Rouhani. Yet, it is too soon to tell whether Rouhani will secure a second term. Iran
Ahead of presidential vote, Khamenei attacks Rouhani’s economy During Iranian New Year speeches, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani painted starkly different pictures of the Iranian economy, which is turning out to be a weak spot for the president’s re-election campaign. Iran
Iraq’s Sunnis eye post-IS future under regional cover Under Arab and international sponsorship, Iraq’s Sunni leaders recently attended a conference in Turkey to discuss the future of Sunnis in post-IS Iraq, with the conference sparking Shiite outrage and dissent among other Sunni officials opposed to the Turkish role in Iraq. Iraq
The upcoming Iranian elections you haven’t heard about As Iran is about to hold city council elections, conservatives are bracing themselves for a fierce competition with Reformists and moderates. Iran