Middle East

No imminent threat of attack from Iran despite belligerent rhetoric, Iran expert explains

“The Iranians are currently focused on damage control, hunting down collaborators with Israel – real or imagined,” Dr. Merhavi said.

 People attend the funeral procession of Iranian military commanders, nuclear scientists and others killed in Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 28, 2025.

Tehran offers minimal compensation for damage caused by Israeli strikes - report

 THE AFTERMATH of an Israeli strike on a building in Tehran, June 2025.

Syria's Sharaa makes moves toward Abraham Accords to reduce Turkish influence

 Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Iranian nuclear program degraded by up to two years, Pentagon says

 Pentagon Spokesperson Sean Parnell addresses the media in the Pentagon, March 17, 2025.

Mystery deaths in Tehran sparks concern over Swiss diplomats safety

The report noted that Switzerland’s unique role as Washington’s protecting power in Tehran “increases the visibility of Swiss personnel to hostile services.”

A cordon tape is seen at the garden in front of the tower, where the body of the Swiss embassy's first secretary was found after falling from a building, in Tehran, Iran May 4, 2021.

Hamas expected to respond to hostage deal in next 24 hours after Israel gives green light - sources

"For the first time, there is real optimism that Hamas will say ‘yes,’" two sources familiar with the talks told The Jerusalem Post.

 Hostage families and supporters rally, calling for the return of the remaining 50 hostages in Hamas captivity, June 28, 2025.

Who is behind the mysterious drone attack targets Kurdish region in Iraq? - analysis

Over the past few weeks there have been a concerning pattern of attacks, though it is not clear who would have an agenda to target Yazidis.

 A woman holds the flag of Kurdistan during the celebration of Nowruz Day, a festival marking the first day of spring and Persian New Year, in Akra, Iraq March 20, 2025.

Rats, snakes, devils: Tehran art gallery unveils exhibition of antisemitic cartoons made during war

While some of the cartoons display images of the IDF or Tel Aviv, others take Jewish symbols or paraphernalia and warp them into something representative of violence.

 Antisemitic art at a gallery in Tehran after the Israel-Iran War.

Russia and China's influence wanes in the Middle East after 12-Day War – analysis

While both countries have aimed to expand their influence in the Middle East, they have remained silent after the Israel-Iran War.

 CHINESE PRESIDENT Xi Jinping meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a reception marking 80 years since the victory over Nazi Germany, at the Kremlin, last month. The war in Ukraine has shaken the global order, says the writer.

Houthis vow to continue attacking Israel, boast 'hypersonic' missiles - analysis

While the Houthis claimed to have targeted Israel with a hypersonic “Palestine 2” missile, there is no evidence that it is actually hypersonic.

 Footage released by Houthi Military Media says to show a launch of missile, which the Houthis say they fired at Israel, at an unknown location in this screen grab obtained from a handout video released on December 19, 2024.

‘Mossad’ Farsi X account crowns exile journalist for cracking Iran’s hush-hush war-chief mystery

The game started a day earlier, when Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that the regime would not reveal the commander’s identity “for his protection.”

 Ali Abdullahi Aliabadi is a Brigadier General in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

Surge in Afghans driven from Iran in spy hunt after Israel attacks

The United Nations refugee agency estimates Iran deported home an average of more than 30,000 Afghans each day during the war, up 15-fold from about 2,000 earlier.

 View of tents at the Omari refugee camp for the Afghan nationals, who were expelled from Pakistan, in Mohmand Dara, Torkham border, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, April 15, 2025.

Tehran’s empty Hormuz threat signals a weakened regime, Iran expert says

Foreign Desk editor-in-chief Lisa Daftari warned that the Islamic Republic remains committed to its long war with Israel and the West.

 Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei seen on the backdrop of the pre-revolution flag of Iran (illustrative)

Hamas: Militia leader Abu Shabab must surrender or face trial for treason, insurrection - report

The ultimatum stated that Abu Shabab is accused of "treason, collaborating with hostile entities, forming an armed gang, and insurrection."

 Image of militia leader Yasser Abu Shabab.