Analysis Iran regime turns sights on UAE as war widens beyond conventional front Iran's hard-line authorities are particularly sharpening threats against the United Arab Emirates, signaling a potential shift in targeting the Gulf state for enabling US and Israeli operations. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis How Azerbaijan benefits — and risks losing — from Iran war Azerbaijan is cashing in on soaring oil prices and Israeli demand, but risks Iranian retaliation, pipeline attacks and regional blowback if the war escalates. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Iran warns Trump against ground invasion as US troop presence surges Iranian media outlets have reported that the country has readied more than a million people fora possible ground conflict. Iran
Ukraine's Zelenskyy capitalizes on Iran war to ink security deal with Saudi Arabia Kyiv is using its domestic production of anti-drone technology and low-cost, AI-enabled interceptor drones to help Gulf states in countering Iranian drones. Saudi Arabia
Exclusive Israel suspects Trump betting on 3 Iran officials, including Ghalibaf, to end war By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis In familiar standoff, US and Iranian demands leave little room for deal By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Newsletter: China-Middle East China hedges as US–Iran truce stalls By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Upcoming hajj pilgrimage again inflames Saudi-Iran tensions Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued his strongest condemnation of Saudi Arabia yet in response to the stampede during last year’s hajj pilgrimage. Saudi Arabia
Is Islamic Republic embracing Iran’s ancient past? The Islamic Republic has abandoned previously contentious attitudes toward Iran's cultural heritage, but it has much more work to do to protect sites. Iran
Shiite alliance against Saudis grows tighter As the sectarian conflict intensifies, Shiite forces expand their cooperation against Saudi Arabia while Iraq plays a key role in this regard. Saudi Arabia
Did Rouhani just nip Tehran mayor’s presidential challenge in the bud? In Iran, leaks indicating massive corruption are surfacing one after another in an apparent factional fight ahead of the country’s May 2017 presidential election. Iran
Turkey expands assault on independent media The Erdogan government’s crackdown on "enemy within" includes free press; Iran and Russia may gain from strains in US-Turkey ties; Aleppo key to "undivided Syria"; Iran likely to deepen ties with Russia over Syria. Syria
Why Rouhani may become Iran's first one-term president Despite fulfilling his key campaign pledge of resolving the nuclear issue, Hassan Rouhani is still far from guaranteed a second term as Iran's president. Iran
Prince Salman gets jump on G-20 as Saudi 'Mr. Everything' tours Asia Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to be the youngest representative at the upcoming G-20 summit, his most significant step on the global stage to date, but can the spotlight on "Mr. Everything" distract from Yemen? Saudi Arabia
Iran confirms arrest of Iranian-American Reza Shahini Iranian authorities and media released more information on the arrest and alleged activities of Iranian-American Reza "Robin" Shahini. Iran
Iraqi cleric urges tolerance toward LGBT people Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has created ripples in Iraqi society by calling for tolerance for LGBT people. Iraq
Iran's central bank won’t bite off more than it can chew Despite broad support for the unification of foreign exchange rates in Iran — and the central bank’s announcement of such a move in the near future — realities on the ground make such an endeavor unlikely anytime soon. Iran
Did arrested Iranian negotiator influence nuclear talks? Iranian negotiator Hamid Baiedinejad wrote on his Telegram account about the latest accusations against a fellow negotiator who was in charge of banking affairs. Iran
Why Russian warplanes might return to Iran Shared tactical objectives in Syria are likely to continue to drive Russian-Iranian cooperation despite the quick end to Moscow's use of the Hamedan air base. Russia