Why Israel's looking to Kurds to make gains against Iran regime Israeli-Kurdish relations are rooted in a common struggle against Islamic extremism and the Kurds’ strategic presence across Turkey, Syria and Iran. Israel
Hard-liner with IRGC ties, Mojtaba Khamenei rises as contender for Iran’s supreme leader The late supreme leader's son has long operated behind the scenes in Iran’s political system and has close ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran
Analysis Iran’s other battle: The regime’s wartime fight for control at home Despite US and Israeli bombs dropping from the air, Iran's leadership is imposing a stifling security environment, deploying Basij militias, checkpoints and a constant stream of wartime messaging to prevent regime collapse. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis US war aims murky as Trump eyes role in Iran’s postwar future While his officials insist the war isn't about regime change, President Donald Trump says he wants a hand in picking Iran's next leader. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Analysis CIA, Mossad bolster Iran’s Kurds as US, Israel seek to ignite military revolt By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Hormuz risk halts energy flows but Iran keeps moving oil — for now By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Can Iran mobilize allies to end US Mideast presence? Iran seeks an end to the US presence in the Middle East, but can it bring Russia and Turkey on board? Iraq
Protests continue in Iran over plane crash Iranians' outrage continues unabated since their government admitted to shooting down a Ukrainian plane, killing 176 people. Iran
Foreign troops' future in Iraq uncertain as clashes continue Tension between Tehran and Washington has some Iraqis worried about foreign troops withdrawing from Iraq, although the United States had said it has no intention of leaving the country in Iranian hands. Iraq
Protests break out in Iran after admission of accidental plane downing Protests erupted in Iran after the government admitted, after three days of denial, that it had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane; some of the demonstrations arose out of vigils for the victims. United States
Iraqi PM quietly working to keep US troops in country Iraq’s caretaker prime minister privately does not want US troops to withdraw, several American and Iraqi sources familiar with the situation told Al-Monitor. Iraq
Pakistan seeks to mitigate US-Iran tensions Pakistan, wary in part of tensions between Washington and Tehran negatively affecting the reconciliation process in Afghanistan, has offered to mediate between the United States and Iran after the recent round of violence between them. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Democrats wade into legal gray area with Iran war powers vote The House passed a resolution 224-194 seeking to limit President Donald Trump’s ability to conduct future offensive military actions against Iran. United States
Can Israel, Hamas keep it calm after US killing of Soleimani? For Israel, the return of deterrence is tainted with the possibility of a nightmare scenario. Palestine
Rouhani adviser says US claims on plane crash ‘media war' Iranian officials claim they are working with Ukrainian authorities to investigate the plane crash in Tehran but claim US accusations that they shot the plane down themselves is a “media war.” United States
Iraqi protesters decry Iranian and US interference Over three months since anti-government protests began in Iraq, attention has shifted to geopolitical fears of regional war. Iraq
Trump's threat to Iran's antiquities sets off global uproar With 24 recognized sites, Iran is most heavily represented Middle Eastern country on UNESCO's list of world heritage sites. United States
Lebanon reacts following Nasrallah speech Supporters of Lebanon’s Hezbollah were divided over its leader’s speech following the killing of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, with some saying Hezbollah must react and others saying the Iranian strikes at the military bases in Iraq were enough. Lebanon