Explainer Qatar blast underscores challenges in race to restart Gulf energy flows The deadly explosion marks an early test of Gulf efforts to revive oil and gas production following a historic energy supply shock caused by the US-Israel-Iran war. Qatar
Explainer What’s the status of Strait of Hormuz after US-Iran talks? Oil tankers continued to transit the strait in both directions, but many turned off their transponders over the weekend after Iran's military declared Hormuz closed once again. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Vance says Switzerland talks laid 'good foundation' for final deal Early US-Iran talks in Switzerland point to cautious progress By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
US, Iran to form 'deconflicting cell' on Lebanon, sidelining Lebanese state The agreement came during talks between Iran and the United States following a preliminary deal reached last week to end the war across the Middle East, including in Lebanon. Lebanon
Analysis Why Gulf defense firms are betting on Europe in wake of Iran war By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Obama administration holds up environmental grants to Iran Despite its support for efforts to confront climate change, the United States is blocking key multinational environmental projects for Iran that would have global benefits. Iran
How a Turkish girl broke the heart of a shah In her latest book, Turkish novelist Nazli Eray shares the story of her mother, a woman whose beauty once stunned Middle East elites and left the Iranian shah heartbroken. Iraq
Iran professor sentenced to prison for criticizing nuclear program Outspoken analyst and Tehran University professor Sadegh Zibakalam's sentence is being taken as a warning that there are limits to how much Iranian intellectuals are allowed to question the nuclear program. Iran
We can read your emails, says Iran’s intelligence minister Iran's intelligence minister has said that in the effort to fight terror, his ministry has access to the electronic communications of individuals suspected of links to terrorists. Iran
US options for sanctions relief on Iran According to a top expert on US sanctions against Iran, President Barack Obama can provide significant relief by waiving many penalties and allowing a major piece of sanctions legislation to “sunset” before he leaves office. Iran
Iran wins again in Iraq The Islamic Republic of Iran does not mind Iraq being divided into thirds, if that is the outcome. Iraq
Iran, US can end Iraq crisis, says Rouhani adviser Hamid Aboutalebi, deputy chief of staff for political affairs for President Hassan Rouhani, said that Iran has not ruled out cooperation with the United States over Iraq. Iraq
Turkey should close its border to ISIS The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) has depended on the Turkish border for its operations in Syria; US Sen. Tim Kaine offers a blueprint for US-Egypt ties; Al-Monitor’s Year in Review and Back Channel. Iraq
Will Turkey and Iran find common ground in Iraq? Developments in Iraq, coming soon after a visit by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Turkey, might be forcing a change in Turkey's approach to jihadist groups. Iraq
Khamenei rep blames Saudi Arabia, Qatar for Iraq insurgents In a rare moment of directness, a representative of Iran’s supreme leader has directly named Saudi Arabia and Qatar as the cause of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham’s surge in Iraq. Saudi Arabia
In Iran, headlines blame foreigners for ISIS advances As the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham continues to make gains in Iraq, Iran’s right-wing media outlets are running constant updates on the situation and officials are blaming Western and Arab countries for supporting extremist groups. Iraq
Iran officials call for international response to ISIS violence Iranian officials respond to the fall of Mosul to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham extremists. Iraq