How deployment of 4,000+ US Marines could change war in Iran Two flotillas bearing thousands of US Marines will give Trump more options to open the Strait of Hormuz, but deploying them to the Gulf will necessitate expanding a war that's already widely unpopular at home. Iran
Iran’s Hormuz choke hold leaves West divided as energy markets reel Between March 1 and March 19, there were only 114 crossings of the strait, according to analytics firm Kpler — 95% less than prewar traffic. Iran
Why a Kharg Island blockade could be Iran’s greatest economic threat The island is an energy hub that accounts for 90% of Iran's oil exports and is home to key Iranian military installations. Iran
Qatar-based Al Jazeera commentators go dark on social media: What to know Saeed Ziad, who offered a pro-Iran perspective on the war, has not posted on X in days, and the account of Fatima al-Smadi was deleted, though their exact status is not known. Qatar
Analysis Narrow opening: Can Lebanon’s push for talks shift Israel’s war calculus? By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Iran expands energy targets beyond Gulf as Red Sea and East Med come into play By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis In Hormuz standoff, Trump struggles to rally allies By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Khamenei adviser apologizes for cursing Rouhani VP A shadowy adviser to Iran’s supreme leader entered the spotlight after a video of him attacking the first vice president went viral. Iran
Saudi Arabia seeks to turn back clock on Iran The debacle surrounding the resignation of Lebanon’s prime minister amid growing Saudi hostility toward Iran suggests a coming showdown in the region. Saudi Arabia
Turkey, Iran, Russia: Trilateral distrust in Syria Iran and Turkey are concerned that Russia might exploit them at some point to achieve its own goals in Syria. Syria
Can Lebanon handle truth about Hariri, Saudi Arabia? Saad Hariri faces his own court of conscience; US-Iran relations revert to axis of evil days. Saudi Arabia
Iran emerges as health tourism destination An increasing number of foreign visitors enter Iran to either undergo medical treatment at specialized hospitals or to make use of traditional medicine. Iran
How Riyadh orchestrated its own downfall in Lebanon Saudi Arabia's policy shift toward Lebanon in trying to curb Hezbollah's power has failed miserably and made Saad Hariri the most popular Lebanese leader. Saudi Arabia
Ahmadinejad’s former VP takes refuge in holy shrine Former Iranian Vice President Hamid Baghaei took refuge in a historic shrine to avoid a court case over likely corruption charges. Iran
Inside the world of social media advertising in Iran Entering a new phase, Iranian entrepreneurs turn to social media to boost their brands and sell products. Iran
Iran: Hariri sought to mediate between Tehran, Riyadh Iran’s president strongly criticized Saudi Arabia over its reported role in the Lebanese prime minister’s resignation. Saudi Arabia
Iranian authorities scramble to deal with quake aftermath Al-Monitor travels to the towns of western Iran, where a 7.3 magnitude earthquake has left at least 452 dead and many more homeless. Iran
Putin-Trump statement on Syria contradicts Erdogan’s calculations A joint statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump that there is no military solution in Syria infuriated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Syria
Israel in no hurry to enter Saudi-Lebanese fray Israel is not at all interested in opening a front against Hezbollah just to please Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
