Iraq
Iran to close parts of Hormuz Strait for few hours due to 'security precautions,' shipping safety
According to Fars, the IRGC Navy commander declared that, "The weapon that reaches the battlefield on the day of war is different from what is displayed in exercises."
Thirty-four Australians released from a camp holding families of suspected ISIS terrorists in Syria
Moving suspected ISIS prisoners to Iraq shows Washington doesn’t fully trust Damascus, expert says
Iraq's Kurds emerge as Middle East's key diplomatic players at Munich Security Council - analysis
Najaf market suffers as Iranian visitors dwindle amid Iran crisis
The city in Iraq is home to one of Shi’ite Islam’s holiest shrines and has long relied on Iranian pilgrims, who have traditionally made up the largest proportion of visitors.
Iraq arrests suspect wanted by Australia over Melbourne synagogue firebombing
"This arrest is a significant disruption to an alleged serious criminal and his alleged criminal enterprise in Australia," said the Australian Federal Police Commissioner.
'Mercenaries for foreigners': Khamenei accuses Iranian protesters of acting on behalf of Trump
The demonstrations, which began in Tehran last month, have spread to all of Iran's 31 provinces but have yet to reach the scale of the 2022-3 unrest sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini.
Iranians 'have fallen in love with Netanyahu,' Tehran resident tells KAN - report
An Iranian protester told KAN Reshet Bet that many Iranians admire Netanyahu and Israeli strikes, while blaming economic collapse, repression, and inflation for the unrest.
Candace Owens, influencers claim 'Zionist' plot behind Maduro capture
"The CIA has staged another hostile takeover of a country at the behest of a [sic] globalist psychopaths," wrote Owens. "That’s what is happening, everywhere. Zionists cheer every regime change."
The American Venezuela operation marks end of era of US military hesitation - opinion
The central framing of the move is explicitly geopolitical, aimed at blocking the China-Russia-Iran axis in the US's backyard.
Voices from the Arab press: Education across the Middle East
A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.
Iraq moves to reclaim Ain al-Assad as US-led coalition ends mission
Assad's base was one of the few places the US remained, until Iran targeted the base with ballistic missiles in 2020 in response to the US killing Soleimani.
Haibat al-Halbousi elected Iraq’s parliament speaker as new legislature convenes
Iraq continues to face challenges as it navigates between the Iranian influence on the country and a push by the US and others to roll back Iranian-backed militias.
After Iraq legalizes child marriage, Baghdad bridal market booms as young girls sold to older men
Iraq’s decision to introduce the Ja’fari law in January means that girls can be married based on perceived “maturity and physical capacity.”
