Iraq deepens Iran ties days after US investment push The Iraqi premier visited Tehran shortly after his trip to Washington for talks focusing on economic cooperation and plans to develop a cross-border railway network. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Houthis claim attack on two Saudi tankers Iran vows to continue regional strikes; US, Saudi Arabia sign nuclear power deal; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Israel fears US deal would allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium Israel fears the US-Saudi civilian nuclear deal could pave the way for uranium enrichment not only by the Saudis but also by other countries in the region. Israel
Newsletter: Business & Tech Trump threats, Houthi blockade rattle oil markets Also this week, we look at how a landmark US-Saudi nuclear agreement could reshape the kingdom's civilian nuclear ambitions while raising fresh concerns over proliferation in the Middle East. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump threatens Iran bridges, power plants over Hormuz attacks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Interview PJAK leader mocks Iran’s claim Turkey spiked US Kurdish-backed regime-change plan Siamand Moeini PJAK Executive Council Member
Europe seeks diplomatic next steps on Iran Warning about the resumption of enrichment at Iran’s underground Fordow facility, Europeans look for a diplomatic path that could get the United States and Iran back to the table, and keep the deal alive through 2020 US elections. United States
Ancient Kurdish festival offers taste of enduring love, mysticism Mythology, mysticism and tributes to love dominate the Pir-Shalyar wedding festival in a rocky Kurdish village in western Iran. Iran
Iran debates end of confession broadcasts An outspoken Iranian lawmaker is pushing legislation that would abolish the state broadcaster's controversial tradition of airing forced confessions. Iran
Iran’s Rouhani shows spark of old self against hard-liners Now that the Iranian president is out from under the pressure of his brother’s corruption trial, he appears to be returning to the outspoken moderate-reformist views that got him reelected. Iran
Iran displeased by deal between Yemeni government, southern separatists Although Tehran has been one of the most outspoken critics of the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen, it also doesn’t want a Riyadh-led resolution to the war. Saudi Arabia
Iran's Rouhani threatens to reveal economic corruption President Hassan Rouhani and Chief Justice Ebrahim Raisi clash over corruption cases. Iran
Can Iraqi PM weather ongoing protests? With an increase in the use of violence against protesters in Iraq, the call for change is also rising among internal and external actors. Iraq
Tehran welcomes China’s presence in Middle East Iran and China have much to offer each other, though on a limited basis. Iran
Pompeo confirms Israel’s nightmare scenario on Iranian nuke The scenario Israel's security and intelligence chiefs feared the most is now becoming reality: Iran is being pushed to the wall by the United States and therefore is shortening its "breakout time" toward a nuclear bomb. Israel
Is it time for a historic paradigm shift in the Persian Gulf? Could this be the moment for the countries in the Gulf region to realize they have a lot in common and take steps to reduce conflict? Legacy: Gulf
What messages lie behind Assad’s visit to southern Idlib? Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s recent visit to the front line in southern Idlib province raised controversy and questions among opposition forces about Assad's goals and what messages he might have been sending — and to whom. Syria
Iran's hard-liners say fresh nuclear deal breaches don't go far enough In yet another step away from its nuclear deal commitments, Iran has resumed uranium enrichment at a contentious facility. But the move was too little to appease hard-liners at home. Iran
