Iran & Middle East
Reporting on Iran, the Iranian regime, IRGC operations, Israel-Hamas-Hezbollah dynamics, the Houthi corridor, GCC alignments, and the wider Middle East security picture.
Israeli Strikes Kill Four in Gaza as Trump Claims Breakthrough
Israeli airstrikes killed at least four Palestinians in Gaza on Sunday, including a child, as President Trump announced what he called a diplomatic breakthrough in the region.
Trump Orders New Wave of Iran Strikes Aimed at Forcing Regime's Surrender
The U.S. military is weighing renewed strikes against Iran as early as this weekend, as officials warn Tehran could attempt to rebuild its nuclear capabilities.
Iran Halts Ships in Hormuz Strait, Sending Oil Prices Higher
Tehran said it is stopping vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, sending crude prices higher and raising alarms about a chokepoint that carries one-fifth of global seaborne oil.
Iran Strikes Two Tankers Under U.S. Escort in Hormuz; Trump Convenes Cabinet
Iran said it struck two tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz under U.S. Navy escort as President Trump gathered his cabinet to weigh next steps in the widening war.
IRGC Strikes US Facilities in Kuwait, Iran Says, in Retaliation for Qeshm Strike
Iran's army says it hit 'strategic US centres' in Kuwait with drones a day after American strikes on Qeshm island and other Iranian sites, Al Jazeera reports.
US Treasury Sanctions Iran Mahan Air Networks in India, China, Russia
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced sanctions against financial networks in India, China, and Russia supporting Mahan Air and the IRGC, which he called a terrorist enterprise.
Drone Strike Hits Gas Vessels at Egypt's Damietta Port on Mediterranean
Two gas vessels were struck by drones at Egypt's Damietta Port on the Mediterranean coast Thursday, stoking concerns the Iran conflict is widening beyond the Gulf.
Treasury Sanctions Networks in China, India, and Russia Supporting Iran's Mahan Air and IRGC
The U.S. Treasury targeted six entities and individuals across four countries for enabling Mahan Air and an IRGC front company implicated in targeting U.S. and Israeli assets.
Iran Claims IRGC Missiles Destroyed Three U.S. F-35s at Jordan Air Base
The IRGC claimed ballistic missiles struck Al-Azraq Air Base in eastern Jordan, destroying three F-35 fighters — an assertion that neither the Pentagon nor Jordan has confirmed.
Oil Tanker Ablaze in Hormuz as Iran Claims IRGC Forced Vessels to Retreat
An oil tanker caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday as Iran claimed IRGC naval forces compelled two commercial vessels to withdraw from the critical waterway.
US Resumes Airstrikes; Explosions Reported Near Iran's Nuclear Plant
The U.S. resumed airstrikes against Iran after IRGC missiles struck an American military base, as explosions were reported near an Iranian nuclear facility on Wednesday.
US Launches Fresh Strikes on Southern Iran, Iranian State Media Reports
Explosions heard in Bandar Abbas, Abu Musa, Kish Island and Qeshm Island as US CENTCOM resumes strikes on Iran in response to attacks on US forces, officials say.
Trump Pledges Revenge for Iranian Attack as U.S., Saudis Strike Iraq
President Trump vowed retaliation following an Iranian missile attack as U.S. and Saudi forces conducted coordinated strikes on Iranian-backed groups in Iraq while Houthis mull Bab al-Mandeb tolls.
Axis of Aggressors: New Book Warns China, Russia, Iran and North Korea Could Overwhelm US
A new book argues that China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea have formed a coordinated axis capable of stretching US military and diplomatic resources beyond their limits.
PMF Says 20 Killed, 32 Wounded in US-Saudi Iraq Strikes
Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces say 20 fighters were killed and 32 wounded in overnight US-Saudi strikes; Trump tells Fox News the operation was 'coordinated' with Baghdad.
US Missile Strikes Northwestern Iran Near Piranshahr, State TV Reports
Iranian state media says a US projectile struck an uninhabited area near the northwestern border city of Piranshahr — the first reported US strike on Iranian soil in the current exchange.
IRGC Attacks US Forces in Jordan in First Strike Since Trump's Pause
The IRGC fired missiles at US forces in Jordan on Tuesday, the first confirmed Iranian attack since Trump suspended the US strike campaign against Tehran.
Saudi Arabia, US Strike Iran-Backed Groups in Iraq
Riyadh says it carried out coordinated strikes with the US military against Iran-backed groups in Iraq, marking the first publicly disclosed Saudi participation in the current strike cycle.
CENTCOM: Iran Fires Ballistic Missiles at US Base in Jordan
US Central Command says Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles at US forces in Jordan Tuesday in an attempted 'surprise attack,' the first publicly disclosed strike on US troops in the current cycle.
Ukraine FM Warns Tehran as Zelensky Hails White House Summit
Ukrainian foreign minister delivered a direct warning to his Iranian counterpart against escalation and Russia support as Zelensky called the Trump session productive.
Russia Condemns Ukrainian Strike on Iranian Vessel in Caspian Sea
Moscow declared Ukraine's Caspian Sea attack on an Iranian ship a direct assault on Iran as Kremlin spokesman Peskov accused Kyiv of widening 'terrorist attacks.'
Drones Hit Iranian Kurdish Opposition Bases in Iraqi Kurdistan
Drone attacks struck bases of Iranian Kurdish opposition parties in Iraq's Kurdistan region overnight as US-led coalition air defenses intercepted drones over Erbil.
Drones Strike Israel, Jordan, Iraq in Coordinated Wave
Israel and Jordan intercepted drones near the Dead Sea Monday and Iraq reported attacks, widening an Iran-linked drone campaign that also hit Saudi oil facilities.
Ukraine Strikes Iranian Vessel in Caspian; Tehran Threatens Response
Ukraine struck an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea, drawing fury from Tehran, whose foreign minister said the attack 'cannot go unanswered' and a deputy speaker vowed retaliation.
Houthis Launch Drone Strikes on Saudi Oil Infrastructure
Iran-backed Houthi forces launched drone attacks on Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure Monday, citing Saudi drone incursions. Riyadh's Foreign Ministry says it reserves the right to respond.
Iran Claims Control of Strait of Hormuz After Weekend Pause in Strikes
Iranian state media declared Monday that Tehran controls the Strait of Hormuz, the world's critical oil chokepoint, following a weekend lull in strikes.
Pentagon Separates Iran Ceasefire Deaths From Operation Epic Fury Toll
Four U.S. troops killed during the Iran ceasefire have been designated 'Overseas Operations Casualties,' listed separately from the 14 additional Operation Epic Fury deaths since February 28.
Biden Team Warned Trump: Israel Won't Miss Chance to Strike Iran
A New Yorker report reveals Biden officials told Trump's team that Israel would escalate the Gaza war to Iran, while blaming both Netanyahu and Trump for the resulting conflict spread.
Ukraine Hit Iranian Arms Ship; Russia Passes Satellite Data to Tehran
Ukraine struck an Iranian Caspian Sea vessel carrying drone and missile components, while Zelensky says Moscow is sharing satellite surveillance feeding Iranian strikes on Gulf states.
Tehran Summons Ukrainian Diplomats After Kyiv Bombs Caspian Ship
Iran summoned Ukraine's diplomats after Kyiv struck an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea, killing at least one sailor, as the US separately pauses its own Iran airstrikes.