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
As Syria constitution talks kick off, is Kurdish administration 'finished'? As representatives from Syria's government, opposition and civil society meet in Geneva to draft a new constitution for the war-torn country, Al-Monitor spoke with French academic Fabrice Balanche on prospects for the talks. Iraq
Iran worried by Lebanon 'vacuum' after Hariri resignation The political uncertainty arising from the resignation of Lebanon's prime minister is sparking worries in Iran, which maintains key interests in the tiny but strategic Arab country. Lebanon
Iran's hard-liners force controversial film off screen A controversial movie about an honor killing has been removed from Iranian theaters after pressure from infuriated hard-liners. Iran
Iran downplays significance of Baghdadi's death Iranian officials have shrugged off the news that the United States killed the Islamic State leader. Iraq
Islamic State leader dead in US raid Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed during a raid in northwestern Syria, says President Donald Trump. Iraq
Sanctions experts say new US Treasury measure could inhibit humanitarian trade with Iran The US Treasury's new Iran "humanitarian" mechanism is seen by experts as a tool to inform new sanctions on the country. United States
What IDF chiefs won’t say out loud Some of Israel’s previous military chiefs took a courageous stand and publicly stated that there was no military solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but current Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi is on the same wavelength as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Palestine
Zarif urges united nonaligned front against US Four years after signing of the JCPOA, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said relying on the United States is a "delusion." United States
How Iran sees Russia-Turkey deal on northeastern Syria Iran's exclusion from the Turkey-Russia talks on northern Syria reflected its lack of leverage on the matter, but Tehran welcomed the agreement forged, especially its support for the Adana Agreement. Syria
Is Iran expanding its influence in Iraq? Iran seems to have further expanded its influence in the Iraqi government; Tehran still, however, faces challenges in Iraqi governmental bodies that have remained independent of Iran. Iraq
Trump administration scrambles to salvage US troop presence in Syria President Trump says he would leave some US troops in Syria to keep the Assad regime and Iranian forces away from oil fields; the Syrian Democratic Forces commander speaks with both Trump and the Russian army chief of staff. Iraq
Erdogan still under fire in Iran despite Syria agreement While Iran's Foreign Ministry has welcomed the Russia-Turkey agreement on Syria, the Turkish president remains in hot water over the offensive he launched against Syrian Kurds. Syria
