A Strategic Conundrum: Pakistan’s Transit Corridor to Iran as Lifeline or Liability
The US-Iran standoff over the Strait of Hormuz — disruptive to global trade and energy flows, and devastating for debt-burdened economies — has handed Pakistan an unexpected geoeconomic opportunity, one that may persist even if the framework agreement announced on June 14 results in a lasting peace and permanent reopening of the strait. But seizing it will have interlocking consequences for Islamabad’s ties with Tehran, Washington, and the Gulf states.
Iran: What’s Next for US Policy as the Region Seeks to Move On
As the US and Iran move to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the war’s real lesson lies in how Gulf states rapidly adapted — building pipelines, ports, and rail to bypass the chokepoint. Washington should seize this momentum, pursuing a “long game” of regional connectivity that serves shared security and economic interests.
I.R.G.C. Outlet Questions Iraqi President’s Participation in Riyadh Summit
The participation of the Iraqi delegation led by President Fuad Masum at the Riyadh summit has raised a lot of questions in Tehran. “Has Iraq joined the Saudi against Iran?” was the title of a lengthy analysis piece published today in Tasnim News Agency, an outlet affiliated with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps. According to the article, many in Iran have criticized the Palestinian and Iraqi leaders for attending and the Riyadh summit and “voting in favor of an anti-Iran resolution” despite the fact that the Islamic Republic has supported Palestine and Iraq for many years.
Ahmadinejad Asked to Leave Cemetery Where Many Syrian Casualties Are Buried
Iranian Telegram social media channels today published videos that showed family members of those killed in Syria strongly protesting the presence of former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahm
Iran-Supported Iraqi Paramilitaries Make Further Gains near Iraqi-Syrian Border
The spokesman for Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, also known as Hashd al-Shaabi, said on Wednesday that the paramilitary forces aim to seize and control all regions along
What Does Trump’s Visit to Saudi Arabia Mean for Russia?
On May 20, President Donald Trump landed in Riyadh for the first stop of his nine-day Middle East and European tour. Many hoped that the president’s long-awaited trip would clarify his administration’s approach to the Middle East. As expected, the most important developments involved a $110 billion arms deal, anti-Iranian rhetoric and plans to establish an “Arab NATO.”
Iran Hopes Riyadh-Doha Tension Will Weaken anti-Iran Alliance
The Iranian media sees the heightening tension between Qatar and Saudi Arabia – two member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (G.C.C.) – as an opportunity to weaken the U.S.-Arab alliance against Iran and its proxies in the region.
Iran Blames U.S. Policies for Kabul Attack and Extremism in Afghanistan
Reacting to today’s deadly bombing in Kabul, Iranian leaders and media outlets blamed U.S. policies and military presence in Afghanistan for growing extremism and instability in the war-ravaged country. Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said the Kabul attack shows “Takfiri terrorism recognizes no boundaries” and called on regional countries to act in unison to fight terrorism instead of seeking help from outsiders – an apparent reference to the United States, which has more than 8,000 troops in Afghanistan training and assisting the country’s security forces.
The Saudi-Iran Factor in Pakistan’s Sunni-Shia Conflict
This essay examines the effects of the Saudi-Iran rivalry on Sunni-Shia relations in Pakistan. The essay shows that this rivalry, which has sectarian undertones and is partly responsible for the continuing Syrian civil war, has not only complicated Pakistan’s relations with Riyadh and Tehran but has exacerbated Sunni-Shia tensions domestically. Pakistan’s predicament has become even more complicated in light of the recent Trump-led Arab Islamic American Summit.
Iran-Backed Iraqi Paramilitaries Reach Border Area, Express Readiness to Fight in Syria
The head of an Iranian-supported Badr Organization said today that the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces have launched a new operation to secure areas along the Syrian-Iraqi border, Fars News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (I.R.G.C.), reported.
Iran Plans to Launch Several Satellites into Space, including 1st Sensor-Operational Satellite
Iranian officials claim that the country has made significant progress in designing and producing satellites and is planning on launching several satellites into space in the near future.
Iran Says It's Ready to Send Troops to Syria to Monitor Ceasefire
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday that the Islamic Republic is prepared to deploy troops to Syria to monitor the ceasefire, Iranian media reported. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Ghassemi added that Iran, Russia and Turkey are holding talks to discuss the implementation of the ceasefire and de-escalation zones in Syria. “If the required grounds are provided, there would be a need to deploy forces who can monitor the ceasefire,” the Iranian spokesman said.
Senior Iranian Clerics: “Shadow of War over Iran Expanding” with new U.S.-Arab Partnership
Senior Iranian clerics at Friday prayers across the country today denounced the creation of an “Arab NATO” by the United States and its regional allies to fight terrorism and contain Iran’s regional ambitions.
Iran-Supported Iraqi Paramilitaries Make Further Gains in Western Mosul
The Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces today seized nine villages around al-Qairawan region in western Mosul from the Islamic State, the Iranian media reports. According to a P.M.F. statement, the paramilitary forces “managed to reach the Sinjar mountains and block the road that connects Sinjar to al-Ba’aj.
The Iranian defense minister today claimed that the country has achieved self-sufficiency in the field of producing military hardware, particularly ballistic missiles, the Iranian media reported.
The oldest peer-reviewed publication dedicated to the study of the modern Middle East, MEI’s flagship journal covers politics, society, and culture in the region.
