Israel, seeking wider war, hits Iranian railways, bridges as Trump deadline nears Since the Trump administration announced its deadline, Israel has prepared for a potential US escalation, including airstrikes on civilian infrastructure or ground operations. Israel
China, Russia veto scaled-back Hormuz resolution at UN Security Council The vote came hours before the US deadline for Iran to reopen the global chokepoint. Bahrain
Gulf nations in line of fire brace for Iran escalation: What to know A bridge linking Saudi Arabia to Bahrain was briefly closed as Iran escalates its attacks in the Gulf ahead of a looming US deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. United Arab Emirates
US strikes Iran’s Kharg Island as Trump threatens 'whole civilization' Iranian outlets reported several explosions on the island, which is crucial to the country’s oil industry, just hours ahead of a US deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz. Iran
Ayatollah Khamenei, Assad spoke of reforms Iran's former ambassador to Syria conceded in an interview that the Syrian government made mistakes in the first stages of the Syrian protests and revealed that Iran's supreme leader wrote a letter to Syria's president urging reforms. Syria
Rouhani slams Israel for 'genocide' in Gaza At a meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that Israel's policy is simply to eradicate the Palestinians. Palestine
Botox on the rise among Iranian men Iran’s Ministry of Health has announced that over the past year there has been a 20% increase in rejuvenation procedures received by Iranian men. Iran
Iran's Rouhani wishes Jews blessed Rosh Hashanah In a shift in tone from previous Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, newly elected President Hassan Rouhani wished the Jewish people a happy Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. Israel
Iran's Rosh Hashana Twitter diplomacy stirs amazement, disbelief Iran's new President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif tweeted Rosh Hashanah greetings in an unexpected change in tone from Tehran. Israel
World Jewish body cautiously welcomes Iran outreach, but says words not enough The World Jewish Congress praised Hassan Rouhani's words of tolerance on the Jewish New Year, but noted that words must be followed by "concrete actions." Israel
P5+1 consider strategy for meeting new Iran team in NY New Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif is expected to meet with European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton in New York this week to discuss the next round of P5+1 Iran nuclear negotiations. Iran
US Iran team shuffles as nuclear talks set to resume President Obama has nominated senior White House Iran Adviser Puneet Talwar, a member of US delegation to the P5+1 Iran nuclear talks, to be Assistant Secretary of State for Political Military Affairs; Rob Malley, a former Clinton administration NSC Middle East adviser, is expected to succeed Talwar. Iran
Turkey's Twitter "spies" The political war between the Erdogan government and the Gülen Movement has a propaganda aspect, with each side seeing the other as the proxy of a detested enemy. Israel
Qasem Soleimani says disarming Gaza resistance is wrong The head of Iran's Quds Force has officially stated that Iran will continue to support those who fight Israel. Iran
In letter, Obama told Iran's Rouhani he sees way to resolve nuclear issue In an interview with NBC's Ann Curry, Iranaian president Hassan Rouhani said he has "full authority to make a nuclear deal with the west" and that the letter he received form President Obama had a "constructive tone". Iran
Iran's Rouhani urges West to 'seize' moment for diplomacy In a Washington Post op-ed newly elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani urged world leaders to "seize" the opportunity to work with the more moderate Iranian President and focus on improving issues from Syria to concerns over Iran's nuclear program. Iran
