Basra

May 5, 2026 | Bridget Toomey |

Iraq Is Envisioning New Oil Pipelines — But They Are Likely a Pipe Dream

Iraq’s reliance on oil exports through the now-closed Strait of Hormuz may spell financial disaster for Baghdad, which has limited options to avert a crisis. More than 94 percent of Iraq’s oil exports...

April 8, 2026 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Despite ceasefire, Iran and its militias continue attacking regional states (April 2–8 updates)

Iran and its allied militias launched numerous drones and missiles against regional countries between April 2 and April 8, continuing attacks even after a ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United...

March 31, 2026 | Janatan Sayeh |

Iran intensifies recruitment, repression amid reports of thousands of security deaths, Washington weighs ground operations

Washington has signaled readiness to expand operations, including potential ground options, while continuing strikes on Iran’s military and weapons infrastructure. At the same time, the sustained Israeli...

March 27, 2026 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Iran and proxies continue attacking energy facilities, residential areas, and Arab capitals (March 24–27 updates)

Between March 24 and March 27, Iran and its allied militias continued launching drones and missiles against Arab countries. The attacks targeted energy infrastructure, airports, military facilities, ports,...

March 19, 2026 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Iranian drones and missiles hit ports, oil and gas facilities, and US bases in the region (March 17-19 updates)

Between March 17 and March 19, Iran and its allied militias continued launching drones, missiles, and rockets across the Middle East, targeting energy infrastructure, airports, military bases, diplomatic...

March 16, 2026 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Iranian drones and missiles hit regional oil fields, airports, military bases, and ports (March 13-16 updates)

Between March 13 and March 16, Iran and its allied militias continued launching drones, missiles, rockets, and other weapon platforms across the Middle East. The attacks targeted energy infrastructure,...

March 10, 2026 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Iranian drone and missile barrages strike Arab states across the region (March 9-10 updates)

Between March 9 and March 10, Iran and its allied militias continued launching drones and missiles across the Middle East, targeting energy infrastructure, airports, military bases, residential areas,...

March 6, 2026 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Iran and proxy militias strike energy infrastructure, US bases, and Gulf capitals on March 6

On March 6, Iran and its aligned militias continued their campaign of missile and drone attacks across the Middle East, striking civilian infrastructure, military installations, airports, and political...

September 11, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Iranian President Pezeshkian’s visit to Iraq boosts economic ties and diplomacy

Iranian President Pezeshkian is visiting Iraq to strengthen economic ties and diplomatic relations, focusing on cooperation and Shi'ite shrines.

May 24, 2024 | Saeed Ghasseminejad |

Mohammad Mokhber: Khamenei’s Confidant

On May 19, 2024, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash. Mohammad Mokhber, the first deputy president, will serve as interim president until Iran holds elections for a new president. Iran...

February 21, 2024 | Janatan Sayeh |

CBI Revoking Bank Melli’s License Is Unlikely to Curb Iran’s Sanction Evasion in Iraq

The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) revoked Bank Melli of Iran’s operating license on February 8, following increased U.S. pressure to untangle Iraq’s financial system from Iranian money laundering and...

January 11, 2024 | |

Iran Seizes Oil Tanker Off Coast of Oman

The Iranian navy announced on January 11 that it seized the St. Nikolas oil tanker near the Omani port of Sohar. Iran claims its actions are in retaliation for the American seizure...

November 8, 2023 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Tehran predicts Russia-China-Iran triangle of power – analysis

Iran hopes to ally with Eastern powers to gain economic and political power in the Middle East.

April 20, 2023 | Hussain Abdul-Hussain |

Can COP28 Expand Israeli Water for Arab Peace?

Iraq needs water. Israel has mastered desalination and other water-saving methods. Cooperation in this regard could achieve great things.

July 7, 2022 | Hussain Abdul-Hussain |

Iran has Iraq’s Kurds in its crosshairs

After decimating Iraq’s Sunnis during years of political and military conquest, Iran and its Iraqi militias have now set their sights on Iraqi Kurdistan, harassing its government, targeting its energy...

April 16, 2021 | Jonathan Schanzer |

Diplomatic Arson in the Middle East

The Biden administration’s torching of U.S.-Saudi relations

January 14, 2021 | John Hannah |

Iraq

May 11, 2020 | Dr. Brenda Shaffer |

U.S. Sanctions on Iran: Is Natural Gas Next?

The Trump administration’s maximum pressure campaign is having a significant impact on Iran’s macroeconomic stability and draining the government’s export earnings and reserves. As Iranian oil exports...

March 24, 2020 | Bill Roggio |

State designates Iran-backed League of the Righteous as Foreign Terrorist Organization

The U.S. Department of State has added Asaib Ahl al Haq, an Iranian-backed Iraqi Shia terror group also known as “League of the Righteous,” to its list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations. Additionally,...

March 10, 2020 | Tony Badran |

Crisis Of The Iranian Order

The “transnational”: this is how Qassem Soleimani, the former head of Iran’s Qods Force, who was killed in a January U.S. missile strike in Baghdad, is described in Hezbollah-run schools in Lebanon....