Turkey’s military spending jumps to $30B, leads Mideast growth in 2025 Newly released data shows Ankara’s military spending hit $30 billion, while Saudi Arabia remained the region’s top spender and Israel’s outlays declined in 2025. Turkey
Pistachios reach highest prices in eight years amid Iran war Pistachio prices rose to around $4.57 a pound in March, their highest since 2018, according to data company Expana. Iran
Iran FM meets Putin, Russia’s military intel chief as talks stall: What to know Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi headed to Russia following visits to Pakistan and Oman over the weekend as talks with Washington are at a standstill. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran FM blames US for failed talks after landing in Russia Iran blames the United States for stalled talks as a fragile truce holds, while Palestinian voters head to the polls, strikes resume in Lebanon, and Syria opens its first trial tied to the former Assad regime. By Beatrice Farhat In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict
Analysis Why Saudi Arabia, Egypt are wary of Turkey’s proposed 4-way defense pact with Pakistan By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Araghchi’s Russia, regional tour tests path to breaking US-Iran deadlock By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Putin, Raisi look to boost trade, regional cooperation in Moscow talks Ebrahim Raisi's trip to Moscow is unlikely to further elevate relations between the two countries. Russia
The Takeaway: Can US guarantee Iran nuclear deal? From our regional correspondents: Turkey and Syria; Idlib’s rival factions; Egypt and Sudan; Israel’s ultra-orthodox and vaccines; and Iraq’s Islamic cemetery — the largest in the world. Iran
Will Iran recognize Taliban government in Afghanistan? While Tehran is proceeding slowly when it comes to establishing official ties with the Taliban government, recent talks highlight Iran’s interest in expanding its role in Afghanistan. Iran
Iran’s president makes first visit to Russia Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi traveled to Russia today to meet with President Vladimir Putin to discuss the expansion of economic ties, among other things. Iran
Iran tries Arab dissident for terrorism The formal proceedings began 14 months after the Sweden-based dissident was lured into a “honeytrap” in Turkey before being smuggled home by Iran-assigned operatives. Iran
Iran says much of nuclear deal text is ready Iran says progress has been made in Vienna, but the United States must decide on sanctions removal. Iran
Hints of progress on Iran nuclear talks, but time running out The ongoing JCPOA talks in Vienna are still complicated, and the timeline is down to a ‘few weeks,’ says US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Iran
Blinken says 'a few weeks' left for Iran to resume nuclear compliance US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said there were "other options" if world powers are unable to resurrect the deal. Iran
Khamenei website posts animation of Trump targeted in strike The video was released in line with renewed threats from Iran’s hard-line establishment against a hit list of former US officials involved in the killing of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani. Iran
UN experts urge Iran to halt execution of juvenile offender Hossein Shahbazi was 17 when he was arrested for fatally stabbing a classmate and was sentenced to death in a trial that reportedly relied on torture-tainted confessions. Iran
Moscow struggles to sell fighter jets in the Mideast With Egypt and Algeria reportedly backing out of plans to acquire Russian-made fighter jets, there is speculation Tehran could emerge as a potential buyer. Iran
Iran frees British Council employee Aras Amiri Aras Amiri's lawyer in Tehran said the British Council worker flew out of the Iranian capital on Monday after her travel ban was lifted. Iran
