Tehran
24 stories from Middle East Affairs.
U.S. analysis: Iran willing to absorb costs of prolonged conflict
A New York Times report citing U.S. officials says Iran's leadership believes it can sustain a prolonged confrontation while Iranian civilians bear economic hardship.
Three experts assess path to US-Iran deal as conflict deepens
The conflict between the US and Iran appears to be hardening, with little prospect for near-term agreement despite US pressure campaigns combining military strikes and economic sanctions.
Kuwait closes only Iranian school, uprooting families weeks before term
Kuwait's authorities shut down the country's only private Iranian school in early August, forcing Iranian families to find alternatives weeks before the new academic year begins in mid-September.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan sign joint defence pact
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed a collective-defence agreement on August 7, 2026, pledging to treat an armed attack on any one signatory as an attack on all three.
US Navy escorts tankers through Hormuz as mine-clearing effort accelerates
The US Navy is escorting tankers carrying roughly 7 million barrels through the Strait of Hormuz as it clears mines from the shipping channel.
Iranians weigh Trump's calls to resist amid shifting US priorities
Some Iranians expressing doubt about whether to heed Trump's calls to rise up against their government, citing months of shifting US policy between supporting protesters and negotiating with Tehran.
U.S. tightens Iran bank sanctions as Britain holds firm on license
The U.S. Treasury designated Bank Melli and demanded closure of all foreign branches, while Britain has sanctioned the bank's London subsidiary but left its banking license intact.
Trump threatens imminent strike on Iranian military site
President Trump said the United States may soon strike an Iranian military site, as administration officials signaled economic and military pressure on Tehran.
Iran turns to shadow networks and cryptocurrencies to weather Trump sanctions
Iran is relying on shadow business networks and cryptocurrencies to circumvent the Trump administration's new sanctions on oil, banking and technology sectors.
US approves $5 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia
The United States has approved a $5 billion sale of bombs, guidance kits and military equipment to Saudi Arabia, citing threats from Iran and Yemen-based Houthi militants.
U.S. sanctions Turkish bank over Iran ties; South Korea considers Hormuz role
The U.S. Treasury sanctioned a Turkish bank for alleged ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, while South Korea said it was considering contributing to security operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump says oil flow through Strait of Hormuz returning to pre-war levels
Trump said oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz has returned to pre-war levels as the U.S. military escorts cargo ships and repels Iranian attacks in the vital waterway.
US election calendar constrains response to Iran conflict
The Trump administration is attempting to contain fighting with Iran until after November midterms, relying on economic pressure rather than military escalation while public opposition to the conflict grows.
Gold surges 2% as traders pare rate-hike bets
Gold jumped more than 2% after a Federal Reserve official signaled openness to holding interest rates steady if inflation continues moderating.
Airlines stagger return to Middle East routes amid operational uncertainty
International airlines are resuming some Middle East services while maintaining suspensions on other routes, with cancellations on some lines extending into early 2027.
Netanyahu says toppling Iran government "within reach" as U.S., Iran trade strikes
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that overthrowing Iran's government is "within reach," as the United States and Iran exchanged military strikes this week.
Brent surges 7.6% on week as US-Iran clashes deepen
Brent crude rose 7.6 per cent this week as military clashes between the US and Iran disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, lifting fuel prices globally and deepening concerns about inflation.
Trump hints at potential military action against Iran nuclear site
President Trump suggested the United States might attack Iran's fortified nuclear facility near Natanz, characterizing any such conflict as a limited military operation.
Iran attacks Kuwait as fighting with U.S. intensifies
Iran launched attacks on Kuwait on Thursday, part of an intensifying exchange of strikes with the United States that included American bombing of a wedding in Iran.
Lebanon seeks to assert independence from Iran and Israel
Lebanon's government has begun pushing back against both Iranian influence through Hezbollah and Israeli military encroachments in the south, declaring an Iranian ambassador persona non grata and insisting that regional powers treat it as a sovereign state.
Trump says Iran seeks talks; Tehran sets conditions
President Trump said Iran is seeking negotiations, while Iran's foreign minister outlined conditions for resuming diplomacy.
Trump says Iran wants talks; Tehran says U.S. must change approach
President Trump said Iran is seeking a deal, while Tehran's foreign minister said resuming talks requires the U.S. to end its pressure campaign and respect Iranian rights.
Trump says Hormuz remains open after mine clearing
President Trump said the Strait of Hormuz remains open as U.S. forces clear mines laid by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Russia helps Iran develop supersonic cruise missile, FT reports
Russia's state arms exporter has worked with Iran since 2023 to develop a ramjet-powered cruise missile that would travel at several times the speed of sound, according to the Financial Times.