Exclusive Senior Houthi official says Bab el Mandab closure an option if any Gulf states join war Houthi Deputy Information Minister Mohammed Mansour also said the strait could be closed “should the aggression against Iran and Lebanon escalate.” By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Israel energy minister says gas flowing to Egypt, Jordan despite shutdown reports Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen told Al-Monitor that despite security concerns and partial shut down of marine gas platforms, Israel continues to supply gas to Egypt, Jordan and Israeli consumers. Israel
Turkey in talks with Iran to clear 11 ships stuck in Hormuz: What to know Turkey's transport minister says that 11 vessels await passage from Hormuz pending talks with Iran. Turkey
UAE accuses Iran of 'extortion' in Strait of Hormuz: What to know The accusation comes as Iran continues to launch drone and missile attacks in the Gulf. United Arab Emirates
Analysis Iran executes alleged MEK members in bid to signal wartime control By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis How the Iran war is giving Turkey's Erdogan a big boost By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
How to get Iran to improve its human rights The arrest of another Iranian-American dramatizes efforts by Iran’s security establishment to undercut President Hassan Rouhani but also jeopardizes economic gains from the nuclear agreement. Iran
After Iranian, Russian military advances Syrian opposition suffers setback in Aleppo Regime forces were able to retake large swathes of Aleppo’s southern countryside from the opposition, whose weaponry is insufficient in the face of Iranian and Russian ground and air support. Saudi Arabia
State Department nominees face grilling over Iran deal Congressional angst over the JCPOA could spell trouble for diplomatic nominations. Congress
Iran enters Syria talks without preconditions Iranian officials have entered the negotiations to find a political solution to the Syrian civil war though they will not accept conditions for President Bashar al-Assad's removal. Syria
You won't believe what some Iranians have found in their bottled water Iran is being plagued by an increasing number of scandals involving violations of food safety standards. Iran
On eve of Syria peace talks, Saudi Arabia questions Russian, Iranian intentions The United States welcomed the decision by Iran’s foreign minister to attend international talks on trying to end the Syrian war, while Saudi Arabia remained cautious. Syria
Why are Iran’s environmental workers protesting? Employees of Iran's Environmental Protection Organization are protesting corruption, negligent budget management and low wages. Iran
Israel goes back to business as usual in post-Iran deal era The visit of Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon this week to Washington and the upcoming visit there of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will both focus on Israeli demands for US military support. Israel
Rouhani shifts gears on economy With the Iranian economy losing steam, the Rouhani administration is changing tack and adopting a new stimulus package as the nation waits impatiently for sanctions removal. Iran
Some Iranians still dream of citizenship Up to a million people born to Iranian mothers and non-Iranian fathers continue to be deprived of Iranian citizenship. Iran
Iranian officials justify soldier deaths in Syria The deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps addresses the number of Iranian soldiers' deaths recently in Syria. Lebanon
How to end the war in Yemen All involved in the war in Yemen, which has created a horrific humanitarian disaster, have paid a high price. A political solution is needed immediately. Saudi Arabia