Analysis How Hamas disarmament deal may test Iran's regional strategy A possible Hamas decision to disarm would represent more than a Gaza development, testing Iran's decades-old strategy of projecting power through regional allies. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Renewed Iraq attacks test Zaidi’s push to disarm Iran-backed militias An attempt by Iraqi government forces to seize weapons belonging to an Iranian-backed faction encountered resistance, raising questions about Prime Minister Ali Zaidi’s pledge to disarm militias by Sept. 30. By Mustafa Salim
Newsletter: Security Iran pushes war to new fronts, offering dilemma for Trump New flashpoints from Egypt to the Red Sea are foreshadowing an expansion of the conflict if the US redoubles its air campaign against Iran. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis No Iran commitment, no Trump endorsement: Netanyahu leaves US empty-handed The Israeli prime minister described Tuesday's meeting with US President Donald Trump was the "best ever," but diplomatic sources say he left the Washington with little tangibles. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran kills one in Kuwait, targets Egypt for first time By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Why Tehran's mayor just can’t seem to win over Iranian voters Are Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf’s constant transformations responsible for the premature end of his third bid for the Iranian presidency in the past 12 years? Iran
Trump demands Russia, Iran halt Assad atrocities ahead of any deal The Donald Trump administration accuses Bashar al-Assad's regime of building a crematorium to cover up evidence of mass murder. Syria
If push comes to shove, will Turkey defend Qatar against Iran? Turkey's main opposition party has lots of questions about what message Ankara would be sending to Iran, and others, by deploying troops in Qatar. Qatar
Will Rouhani be able to weather jobs crisis? Despite a drastic cut in its "misery index" and the signing of the nuclear deal, Iran remains plagued by stubborn joblessness. Iran
Did Rouhani sell 'grand bargain' with US to Iranian voters? At a campaign rally, President Hassan Rouhani said Iranian officials are ready to negotiate with the United States on non-nuclear issues. United States
US may waive Iran sanctions in coming days The Trump administration could issue waivers of some Iran nuclear sanctions the week of May 15 as it adheres to the nuclear deal for now while conducting a review of its Iran policy. United States
Struggle over Iran’s largest private university heats up The clash over the future of Islamic Azad University, perhaps the biggest legacy of the late Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, heats up in Iran. Iran
Polls put Rouhani in lead with one week to go Two new polls show incumbent Hassan Rouhani ahead of his five opponents with less than a week to go until first-round voting in Iran's presidential elections. Iran
What Saudi leaders expect from Trump’s visit Saudi officials see an opportunity to gain influence in the Middle East when US President Donald Trump visits their country later this week. Saudi Arabia
Congress OK with Saudi missile defense sale amid warming Israel-Gulf ties Israel seems fine with Saudi Arabia getting an anti-ballistic missile system, as does Capitol Hill. Saudi Arabia
Former athletes under fire in Tehran City Council elections This year’s local council elections appear likely to rid the influential Tehran City Council of former athletes amid public criticism of their qualifications. Iran
Khamenei warns against election unrest, George Soros Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned presidential candidates against stirring up unrest and warned George Soros against interfering in the election. Iran