Who is Ahmad Vahidi, IRGC chief and hard-liner against nuclear compromise? A longtime Revolutionary Guard insider with strong ties to Iran’s security apparatus and proxy network, Ahmad Vahidi has taken over the IRGC at a moment of crisis, with some reports suggesting he is playing an outsized role in the country’s decision-making. Iran
How are Iran-linked tankers still moving through Hormuz blockade? At least 19 Iran-linked tankers have passed through the US blockade on the strait to exit the Gulf while at least 15 have entered, according to the cargo-tracking group Vortexa. Iran
Iran seizes two cargo ships in Hormuz after Trump extends ceasefire The IRGC Navy’s seizure of two cargo vessels follows US Navy interdictions of two Iran-linked crude oil tankers in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean earlier this week. Iran
Iran executes 14th person since war over alleged Mossad ties: What to know Iran has carried out multiple executions since the outbreak of the war with the United States and Israel, as it intensifies a crackdown on individuals accused of spying for Israel. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump extends ceasefire with Iran By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis As Iran's power struggle deepens, US talks stall, who’s calling the shots in Tehran? By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Gulf energy deals face Iran war stress test as global expansion meets oil shock By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Why Israel won't admit success of nuke agreement The Israeli government can't admit that the nuclear agreement with Iran is being successfully implemented or Israel itself might have to face similar requirements. Israel
Iranian military official: We will 'uproot' Jabhat al-Nusra Jabhat al-Nusra's rebranding as independent of its parent organization al-Qaeda has not raised eyebrows in Tehran, where officials say only the group’s name has changed. Saudi Arabia
Are regional powers finally reaching consensus on Syria? Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Jaberi Ansari spoke to Iranian media about Syria after meeting with Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia's deputy foreign minister. Syria
Why Netanyahu's 'Asian option' is raising eyebrows in Israel With a difficult relationship between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama as the backdrop, Netanyahu has invested obvious effort in getting closer to China and Russia. Israel
Saudi Arabia may keep playing 'Iran card' to defer decision on Yemen Yemen victim of Saudi-Iran hostility; Islamic State tries, and fails, to recruit Kurds; Al-Monitor resumes series on lobbying by Middle East governments. Saudi Arabia
Will film on 2015 hajj disaster further tarnish Iran-Saudi relations? The imminent unveiling of an Iranian film about the deadly hajj stampede in 2015 is causing waves even before it has been screened, with some warning that it could further inflame relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Iran
Confiscated $2 billion could spell legal trouble for Ahmadinejad After Mahmoud Ahmadinejad wrote a letter to Barack Obama asking for the return of $2 billion, Hassan Rouhani asked the judiciary to investigate why the funds belonging to Iran were never pulled out of the United States. United States
Why some are accusing Rouhani of playing the woman card Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has ordered the cancellation of the annual Civil Service Examination over allegations of discrimination against women. While some hail the decision, others accuse him of playing the "woman card" ahead of the 2017 presidential vote. Iran
New audio file sheds light on 1980s executions in Iran In a recently released audio file, Ayatollah Hussein Ali Montazeri can be heard disagreeing with the executions that took place in Iran in the late 1980s. Iran
Why Rouhani may have Khamenei to thank for avoiding Ahmadinejad Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appears to be making plans for a comeback in next year’s presidential vote — but will the conservatives forgive him for his disobedience of the supreme leader? Iran
Can Iran go around Turkey to reach Europe? The regional turmoil, and particularly the unstable situation in Turkey, is prompting Iran to speed up plans to establish alternative trade routes to Europe. Turkey
Will Rouhani sue critics who insult him? Iranian Vice President for Legal Affairs Hojjat al-Islam Majid Ansari said that the judiciary will pursue cases against critics who insult the president. Iran
![- PHOTO TAKEN 30NOV05 - Hundreds of trucks bringing in diesel from Iran line up on a road as they head to the eastern province of Van in Turkey November 30, 2005. [In the shadows of mountains bordering Iraq and Iran, Turkey's Hakkari province may one day be an outpost of the European Union. But for now, it feels cut off from the world. Picture taken November 30, 2005.] - RTXO1TK](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2016/08/RTXO1TK.jpg/RTXO1TK.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=ARf0wB28)
