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
NSC opens office to oversee Iran deal implementation NSC Senior Director for non-proliferation Paul Irwin is set to head a new NSC directorate on implementation of the Iran nuclear deal. Congress
Why Kerry is prioritizing Syria over Israeli-Palestinian peace Calming Israeli-Palestinian tensions is seen as limited mission as US Secretary of State John Kerry embarks on a new round of international diplomacy on Syria. Palestine
Why Iran doesn't want to stay in Yemen Despite hopes of expanded Iranian assistance, Yemen's Houthis are unlikely to receive the kind of help Tehran extends to Lebanon's Hezbollah. Saudi Arabia
As popularity rises, Iran tries to control Telegram messaging app Iranian authorities have asked Telegram messaging service to block "immoral" content. Russia
No breakthrough in Syria possible without Iran Russian foreign minister dismisses rumors of a deal on Assad ahead of Syria talks; Hezbollah takes casualties in Hama; Turkey’s headache over US support for Syrian Kurds; days of rage in Gaza. Palestine
Has Iran entered 'new era' of economic policies? Iran's supreme leader backs the establishment of a new paradigm of economic management and shuts the door to a resumption of past economic policies. Iran
Rouhani thanks Khamenei for nuke deal 'stamp of approval' In a letter, President Hassan Rouhani says the supreme leader's letter provided a "stamp of approval" for the nuclear deal, though others believe Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's "conditions" provide the antidote to a bad deal. Iran
Tehran tries to make its addicts go to rehab Iran's policy of forcibly transferring street addicts to government-run rehabilitation camps appears to falter. Iran
How will hajj stampede impact Iran-Saudi relations? The implications for Saudi-Iranian relations of the deadly hajj stampede, in which hundreds of Iranians were killed, appear far from over. Saudi Arabia
Can Iraq meet US, Russia halfway? As political forces have called for Russia to intervene in Iraq, as it has in Syria, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has been cautious about what steps to take regarding Russia and the United States. Iraq
What’s so special about Iran’s latest missile? Just days before the nuclear agreement between Tehran and the P5+1 entered the implementation phase, Iran test-fired a new precision-guided ballistic missile. Iran
German FM: Iran, Saudi tensions strengthen terrorists Germany's foreign minister encourages Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani to work to reduce Iran-Saudi tensions. Saudi Arabia